HERO Program Recognized By FBI For "Outstanding Assistance" In Fraud Ring Bust
SAN DIEGO, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Program today announced that two of its employees recently received a commendation from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for playing a critical role in identifying a fraudulent telemarketer claiming to provide legitimate mortgage-related assistance.
The HERO Program is a partnership with local governments throughout California and the company that administers it, Renovate America. HERO offers financing for energy and water efficiency improvements for homeowners in jurisdictions throughout California. But a key part of the HERO Program's responsibilities to the public involves screening and training independent contractors that provide such services under the HERO Program umbrella.
A special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation visited the HERO Program headquarters to recognize the HERO Program's outstanding work in rooting out contractors who behave in unethical and, occasionally, illegal ways in providing such services.
A San Diego FBI Special Agent presented certificates of recognition for "outstanding assistance" to two HERO Program employees, who recognized the voice of telemarketer Shelveen Singh, who was moving from firm to firm with his fraudulent sales tactics. The HERO employees were recognized for their assistance in gathering critical information that led to his conviction as part of the enforcement agency's successful bust of a 13-person mortgage fraud ring in Southern California. The FBI's recognition singled out the significant amount of investigative assistance the HERO Program provided, calling the help "immeasurable."
The recognition is a rare acknowledgment and representatives from Renovate America believe it to be the first award of its kind presented to a home improvement-financing program.
RENOVATE AMERICA & THE HERO PROGRAM
Renovate America partners with more than 320 cities and counties to make energy efficient and water conservation improvements more affordable through the HERO Program, the fastest-growing energy efficiency financing program in the nation. Through the HERO Program, cities and counties are stimulating local economies with new investments in home improvements that create thousands of new jobs, reduce CO2 emissions, conserve water, lower utility bills, and increase the marketability of properties. Renovate America has funded more than 30,000 improvements which will help California save over 1 billion gallons of water and $1.5 Billion in lower utility bills since HERO launched in December 2011. To learn more about the company visit www.renovateamerica.com, and the HERO Program at www.heroprogram.com.
SOURCE HERO Program
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