• Home
• News Room
• Speakers Bureau
• This Month Is...
• Upcoming Events
• Tax Scams
  Tax Preparation Scams
• Senior Citizen Fraud and Scams
  Living Trusts Stranger/Investor Originated Life Insurance Medicare Scams Identity Theft Home Improvement Scams Charity Scams Sweepstakes and Contests Funeral Arrangement Scams Grandparent Scams Telemarketing Scams
• Small Business Scams
  Pre-pay Shipping Valuation Fraud Employee Fraud & Embezzlement
• Veterans Fraud & Scams
  Benefits and Pension Scams Identity Theft Funeral Arrangement Scams
• Identity Theft
  Personal Identity Theft False Company Representative ATM Skimmer Fraud
• Job Opportunity and Job Placement Scams
  Job Opportunity/Placement Scam
• Student Scams
  Student Identity Theft Spring Break Scams Job Opportunity and Job Placement Scams
• Homeowner & Rental Fraud
  Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Scam Mortgage Fraud Home Improvement Scam Rental Fraud
• Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
  Drug theft Misappropriation of funds
• Public Assistance Fraud & Scams
  Cash and Food Assistance Medicaid Fraud Childcare
• Used-car scams
  Defective car sales "Curbstoners"
• Charity Scams, Sweepstakes & Contests
  Charity Scams Sweepstakes & Contests Free Trial Offers
• Government Fraud, Waste & Abuse
  Government Employee Fraud & Waste
• Report Fraud & Scams
  Local Police Departments Law Enforcement & Reporting Agencies
• Contact Us
•  
  Local Police Departments Law Enforcement & Reporting Agencies

Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Scams

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT THIS IS A SCAM?

An individual says that, for a fee, he/she can somehow save your home from foreclosure, perhaps by working with your lender or with a government official. Sometimes this individual represents a company that 'specializes' in foreclosure rescue.


HOW CAN CONSUMERS PROTECT THEMSELVES?

Consumers should first contact a HUD certified counseling agency. Their services are free and they can help you navigate your lender process. See www.hud.gov for a list of certified agencies.

Call your lender directly and learn as much about your situation as you can. Communicate openly with your lender about your home's foreclosure, and work towards a solution with the assistance from your certified counselor.

Do not share personal information with strangers unless you're absolutely certain they are certified in foreclosure law or a related field, and are a reputable professional. Conversations about your loan should be held with certified counseling agency or an agency licensed under the federal SAFE ACT. Check www.stateregulatoryregistry.org/NMLS for licensed broker listings.


HOW TO REPORT IF YOU'VE BEEN A VICTIM

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Ohio Attorney General's office: If your foreclosure specialist has accepted a fee without assisting you, immediately contact the FTC (1-877-FTC-HELP) as well as the Ohio Attorney General's office (800-282-0515). You should also submit a complaint to Better Business Bureau to stop the company from continuing its fraudulent claims.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): You should also contact the FBI's Cincinnati office (513-421-4310) to report any mortgage fraud information that could be investigated by the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area Mortgage Fraud Task Force, which is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to include the Cincinnati Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

Better Business Bureau (BBB): You should also submit a complaint to BBB (513-421-3015 or www.cincinnati.bbb.org) to report the problem and to receive assistance with resolving the dispute.





For more information on preventing homeowner and rental fraud, visit these Web sites:

Federal Trade Commission - Foreclosure rescue scam

Freddie Mac - Mortgage fraud

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force - Mortgage, Loan and Lending Fraud

Ohio Attorney General's office - Home repair fraud

www.rentalfraud.org