Did You Receive an Unwanted Call or Text Message from Renovate America?

Renovate America, a San Diego lender of PACE loans, has reportedly come under scrutiny by the FBI and independent investigators. Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE) lenders may be violating consumer privacy protection laws by contacting consumers about these programs without their consent.

According to consumers, PACE lenders, including Renovate America, may be sending pre-recorded phone calls, ringless voicemails, and pre-written text messages to consumers without their express consent. PACE lenders who send unsolicited robocalls or texts to consumers may be violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Additionally, some consumers claim that PACE lenders may not only be violating the TCPA by calling customers without permission, but may also be preying on elderly homeowners and encouraging them to take out loans for home upgrades they may not need. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against PACE lenders including Renovate America, claiming that these lenders use robocalls to persuade consumers to pay for upgrades to their homes that are unnecessary or overpriced. According to approximately 40 PACE lawsuits that have been filed in California over the past two years, these lenders may be guilty of financial abuse, fraud, negligence, breach of contract, and violations of state laws. Renovate America and other lenders may be peddling these unnecessary upgrades through pre-recorded phone calls and voicemails, and pre-written text messages.

What is Renovate America?

Renovate America is the largest provider of PACE loans, or loans that allow a property owner to finance the up-front costs associated with adding or upgrading clean energy improvements on a property, and then pay these costs back over time. Property owners who participate in PACE, or Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs, generally repay the costs of their clean energy improvements over 10 to 20 years by paying property assessments on their property tax bills.

What is the TCPA?

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is a federal law meant to protect consumers from being harassed by solicitors and telemarketers. PACE lenders who send consumers ringless voicemails, phone calls using a pre-recorded or electronic voice, or pre-written text messages may be in violation of the TCPA. Consumers who have been contacted by PACE lenders regarding these loans without consenting to this communication may be able to pursue compensation of up to $1,500 for each violation of the law.

According to the TCPA, solicitors are not allowed to contact consumers using an automated or pre-recorded voice without first obtaining the consumer’s express consent. Robocalls made to residential phone lines, cell phones, and fax machines are against the law. Additionally, solicitors are prohibited from contacting consumers who have registered their numbers with the National Do-Not-Call Registry. Businesses must also keep company-specific do not call lists and abide by them. Even if consumers have previously given their consent to be contacted, they can revoke this consent at any time.

Join a Free PACE Loan TCPA Lawsuit Investigation

If you received unsolicited text messages, robocalls, pre-recorded messages, and/or ringless voicemails from a PACE lender, you may qualify to join a FREE PACE Loan TCPA lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.