Please please PLEASE run away from anyone who wants upfront money to help you with your mortgage modification.

People in Michigan who are attempting to participate in the Federal mortgage modification program are facing stressful times. Unfortunately, when people are in distress it tends to bring scam artists out of the woodwork.

Most people that I have encountered over the last year are doing their best to try and stay in their homes, contribute to their communities and ride out this storm. They call and talk to their mortgage lenders, they are persistant through the never ending paper trail involved with seeking a mortgage modification and they sometimes are successful.  (Not often enough in my opinion, but that's another rant.)

This week in the Metro Detroit area there was an arrest reported of a man who allegedly offered to help people with their mortgage modifications.  His alleged crime?  He wanted an upfront fee for the negotiations with the homeowners mortgage lender and then never performed what he stated he would.  Allegedly.  Remember, we are all still innocent until proven guilty.

Please please PLEASE run from anyone who wants money upfront to help you with your mortgage modification.  I know it is stressfull trying to get through to the right person at your bank / mortgage holder who can make a decision.  I understand that the bank will tell you that they've lost your file, or that they don't have a complete file (even though you've sent it in many times.)  I can only imagine that waiting months for a decision is frustrating as you cannot move on with your life until this part of your financial picture is completed. In spite of all of this please don't ever give money upfront to someone who says they can help you. (Unless that person is an attorney.  By all means, if you are able to  do so hire an attorney to be your advocate and help you through the process.)

It absolutely makes me sick that in these times of heartbreaking unemployment and economic distress that there are individuals who would prey on homeowners.  Thankfully one such alleged person is sitting in the Macomb County Jail today awaiting his day in court.

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