(RALEIGH) -- A judge has granted North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper's request to barred a Winston-Salem foreclosure rescue operation from collecting any money from consumers for foreclosure assistance or loan modifications. The temporary order means that Edward “Eddie” Phillip Long, Jr., doing business as Credit Enhancement Services, from offering foreclosure and loan modification services, and from charging advance fees for credit repair and credit score improvement services.

Cooper alleges that the company targeted financially distressed homeowners with claims to help them save their homes from foreclosure. “This kind of scheme robs struggling homeowners of valuable time and hard-earned money that could be used toward legitimate help that could put them back on their feet again,” said Cooper. “My office will continue to target outfits that violate the law by charging an upfront fee for their service.”

Cooper is seeking to permanently shut down Long’s foreclosure assistance business and win consumer refunds and civil penalties.