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The sharks our out swimming and homeowner's in distress are flailing and bringing scammers to their doors. Here's WHAT to avoid!
Tips for Avoiding Mortgage Modification Scams |
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Homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments should beware of con artists and scams that promise to save their homes and lower their mortgage debt or payments. If you are struggling to pay your mortgage and are seeking a mortgage modification, keep the following tips in mind: You can apply to the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) on your own or with free help from a housing counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Applying to the program is always FREE. For more information on how to apply, call the Homeowner’s HOPE™Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE (1-888-995-4673) or visit www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov .
Only your mortgage servicer has discretion to grant a loan modification. Therefore, no third party can guarantee or pre-approve your HAMP mortgage modification application.
Beware of anyone seeking to charge you in advance for mortgage modification services – in most cases, charging fees in advance for a mortgage modification is illegal.
Paying a third party to assist with your HAMP application does not improve your likelihood of receiving a mortgage modification. Accordingly, beware of individuals or companies that ask you for payment and tout success rates or claim to be "experts" in HAMP.
If an individual or company claims to be affiliated with HAMP or displays a seal or logo representing the U.S. government in correspondence or on the Web, you should check the connection by calling the Homeowner’s HOPE™Hotline.
Beware of individuals or companies that offer money-back guarantees.
Beware of individuals or companies that advise you as a homeowner to stop making your mortgage payments or to not contact your mortgage servicer. Financially troubled homeowners can avoid scams by working with a HUD-approved housing counselor to understand their options and to apply for assistance. Assistance from HUD-approved housing counselors is free, and homeowners can reach them by calling the
Homeowner’s HOPE™Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE (1-888-995-4673) or by visiting www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov .
This message is courtesy of the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. To report illicit activity involving HAMP, dial the SIGTARP Hotline at 1-877-SIG-2009 (1-877-744-2009). For more information, visit www.SIGTARP.gov and www.ConsumerFinance.gov. |
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