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Rising foreclosure rates have led to a growing number of scam artists offering to “rescue” homeowners in financial distress. They use a wide variety of scams and target people of all ages in virtually every community across the country. Anyone can become a victim. Foreclosure rescue scams usually revolve around heavily promoted deals supposedly designed to save the homes of people facing foreclosure – those who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments. They proclaim to “save your home” or “pay your mortgage,” but in reality generate a quick profit for the scam artist or strip away the value of your home with no benefit to you. Scam artists can evict you from your own home and then sell it on the open market.
The “rescuer” identifies distressed homeowners through public foreclosure notices in newspapers, via the Internet, or at government offices. The “rescuer” then contacts the homeowner by phone, personal visit, card or flyer left at the door, or advertising. The initial contact typically centers on a message that tells homeowners that they can stay in their house easily, get a “fresh start,” keep their credit rating or receive instant cash.
During the first meeting, the homeowner is often told to stop all contact with lenders, credit counselors or lawyers and let the “rescuer” handle all the details. This cuts off the homeowner’s access to legitimate financial solutions.
The scam artist generally looks to make a quick profit through fees or direct mortgage payments that are never passed on to the lender. Sometimes the scammer assumes ownership of the property by deceiving the homeowner.
Once it is too late to save the home, the “rescuer” either takes the property or the owner loses the home to foreclosure after it has been drained of equity through fees and charges.
The homeowner is purposely deceived and therefore does not understand that he is selling the house in exchange for a “rescue.” Many believe they are signing documents for a new loan or other financial arrangement that would allow them to retain ownership by paying off mortgage payments that are past due.
The “rescuer” charges an upfront fee or very high fees to “save” the house by negotiating with the lender or promising to quickly find a buyer for the house. The scammer usually seals the homeowner off from legitimate help or legal relief by telling the owner that he should not talk to the lender, seek out credit counseling or legal advice. Once the fees are paid, he vanishes with a quick and easy profit. The homeowner is usually left without enough help to save the home and with little or no time left to prevent foreclosure. Sometimes, the scammer will insist that a homeowner make all mortgage payments directly to him while he negotiates with the lender. He may collect a few months’ worth of payments before disappearing.
The homeowner surrenders ownership of the house thinking he will be able to pay rent and then buy it back over a few years. The terms of the buy-back deal are usually stacked against the homeowner, with the resale price well above market value. Sometimes, the scam artist hikes rental fees very significantly over time. Once the former homeowner misses rent payments, the family is evicted, leaving the “rescuer” free to sell the house. Even if the former homeowner is able to pay the rent, the terms of the buy-back are so burdensome that he ends up losing possession of the house and the scam artists keep all or most of the equity.
Legitimate companies will sit down with a homeowner and collect documentation. Their representatives will explain the offer and the process in as much detail as you need to make an informed decision. All promises and agreements will be in writing. Their representatives will not object to your desire to consult a lawyer, credit or housing counselor, family member, friend or other expert resource.
Most legitimate companies will not solicit your business through high-pressure direct marketing, nor will they make promises up front to save your home, offer immediate cash or save your credit rating.
Before you sign any contracts, you should contact your lender, a credit or housing counselor, or a lawyer. You can also check out many companies at www.bbb.org.
Homeowners should proceed with extreme caution if an individual or company:
For additional information, you can see the U.S. Department of Justice U.S Trustee Program’s list of warning signs at www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/public_affairs/factsheet/docs/fs06.htm