I just read yet another account of a common foreclosure scam. The article is a transcript from a story broadcast on the radio program Marketplace.

The moral of the story is twofold. First, if it sounds too good to br true, it probably is. Second, homeowners in distress are easy to take advantage of because of the real psychological despair that comes with serious financial problems.

If you are a homeowner in trouble, or if you know a homeowner in trouble, there are real options available other than falling for some scam. And if you think you are the victim of the scam, contact your District Attorney as soon as possible. Most DAs in California have task forces to deal with this type of crime. Yes, the situatuin is so bad that DAs have to have task forces to deal with it.

If you are a real estate professional, warn your clients, friends and colleagues about avoiding scam artists. And do the profession a favor: take a few minutes to report people if you think they could be scam artists. It's all too common for real estate professionals to be contacted with offers for "big referral fees" from people with dubious backgrounds. All the real estate pro has to do is hand the henhouse to the fox. If you do it, you're no better than the scam artists.

And if you happen to be a scam artist who somehow stumbled across this post, I have a warning. Many states, including California, have ways of dealing with your type. You are the most despicable sort of scumbag - those who prey on the vulnerable through deceit, who have no problem stealing families' equity and homes. If I happen to find out about you, I will go out of my way to make sure the law comes down on you like the wrath of a very angry God. Just be glad we don't execute people for the kind of misery you visit upon others through your scams.