PLEASE BEWARE OF FORECLOSURE SCAMS AS THEY ARE ON THE RISE>>>>>
The Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County, which partners with the City's Family Resource Center, is warning residents to beware of foreclosure scams and to report illegal activity to authorities.
Loan modification scams are proliferating at a rapid pace. Every day, scam artists prey on unsuspecting homeowners who are facing foreclosure in Orange County, according to the organization.
There are six things residents should beware of:
1) A company/person asks for a fee in advance to work with your
lender to modify, refinance or reinstate your mortgage. They may pocket
your money and do little or nothing to help you save your home from
foreclosure.
2) A company/person guarantees they can stop a foreclosure or get
your loan modified. Nobody can make this guarantee to stop foreclosure
or modify your loan. Legitimate, trustworthy HUD-approved counseling
agencies will only promise they will try their very best to help you.
3) A company/person advises you to stop paying your mortgage
company and pay them instead. Despite what a scammer will tell you, you
should never send a mortgage payment to anyone other than your mortgage
lender. The minute you have trouble making your monthly payment, contact
your mortgage lender.
4) A company pressures you to sign over the deed to your home or
sign any paperwork that you haven't had a chance to read, and you don't
fully understand. A legitimate housing counselor would never pressure
you to sign a document before you had a chance to read and understand
it.
5) A company claims to offer "government-approved" or "official
government" loan modifications. They may be a scam artist posing as
legitimate organizations approved by or affiliated with the
government. Contact your mortgage lender first. Your lender can tell you
whether you qualify for any government programs to prevent foreclosure.
Remember that you do not have to pay to benefit from government-backed
loan modification programs.
6) A company/person you don't know asks you to release personal
financial information online or over the phone. You should only give
this type of information to companies that you know and trust, like your
mortgage lender or a HUD-approved counseling agency.
The mission of Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County is to develop and finance affordable housing and strengthen neighborhoods in partnerships with residents, local government, financial institutions and the business community.
For more information, visit http://www.nhsoc.org/nhsoc-foreclosure-prevention.htm.
FOR INFORMATION FROM A TRUSTWORTHY~ INDIVIDUAL AND REALTOR(R) THAT WORKS WITH REAL ESTATE LAWYERS IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALL ME TODAY~ WITH NO OBLIGATION OR FEE~
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