Home Stimulus Package » Scams http://www.homestimuluspackage.net Helping you into your new home Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 How to detect foreclosure scams http://www.homestimuluspackage.net/2010/07/13/how-to-detect-foreclosure-scams/ http://www.homestimuluspackage.net/2010/07/13/how-to-detect-foreclosure-scams/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:38:45 +0000 www.homestimuluspackage.net http://www.homestimuluspackage.net/?p=10 The federal government will never charge you for information on how to help avoid foreclosure. However, there are scammers out there who willand they could prove even more dangerous than that. If someone says they guarantee being able to “save” your home or grant you a lower mortgage for a fee, or if they claim to have direct contact with your mortgage servicer, there is a strong chance that they are involved in a scam. The only official federal assistance can be reached at the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE.Here are some more easy ways to detect and avoid scams:
  • Avoid anyone who asks for a fee in exchange for counseling or modifying a delinquent loan.
  • Don’t allow the stress of meeting mortgage payments or selling your home open you up to threats.
  • Be cautious if you are asked to sign papers immediately, or if you are asked to sign or transfer over the deed to your house.
  • Never sign over your deed to any individual or organization unless directly advised by your mortgage company.
  • Don’t make a mortgage payment to anyone except your mortgage companyagain, unless directly advised by said company.
  • Watch videos at the Making Home Affordable Program’s and at the Federal Trade Commission‘s sites.
  • Find information at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s site on how to avoid mortgage and foreclosure scams.

If you think you have already been victimized by a scam, there are a number of outlets for filing complaints. The Federal Trade Commission takes all complaints online or at 1-877-FTC-HELP. In addition, you can report scams to the Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network and the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. Make sure to keep the government informed so they can continue to provide assistance to homeowners and crack down on those who would take advantage of the system.

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