HOMEOWNERS BEWARE: Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Brought to you by Carol VanAusdal, your REALTOR and the CAlIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

With the recent rise in foreclosures, foreclosure-related scams have exploded onto the real estate scene. These so-called “foreclosure rescue companies” claim they will help save your home, but in reality are out to make a profit -- at your expense.

Red Flags for Foreclosure Rescue Scams If you are at risk of or in foreclosure, you should be on the lookout for foreclosure scams. Here are some of the red flags to watch out for:

Asks for money upfront before providing any service

Instructs you not to contact your lender, lawyer, housing counselor, family, friends, or others

Asks for mortgage payments to be made directly to his or her company or a bank account set up by that person, rather than your lender.

Requires payment only in the form of cash, cashier’s check, or wire transfer

Promises to stop the foreclosure process, no matter the circumstances

Advises you to transfer your property deed or title to his or her company

Offers to fill out paperwork for you

Asks for something to be done immediately and without delay. This includes pressuring you into signing paperwork that you have not had the chance to read thoroughly or do not fully understand

Encourages you to lease your house and buy it back over time

Offers to buy your house for a fixed price that is not set by the housing market at the time of sale

Asks for you to give a power of attorney

Asks for signatures on a grant deed or deed of trust

Asks for signatures on a document that has lines left blank

Fails to provide copies of signed documents

Refuses or fails to put an oral promise in writing

Report Fraud If you have been a victim of a foreclosure-related scam or approached by a scam artist, you may report the incident to the following organizations and government enforcement agencies:

California Attorney General at http://ag.ca.gov

California Department of Real Estate at www.dre.ca.gov

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at www.hud.gov

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov

Your local Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org

Legitimate Resources:
If you are at risk of foreclosure or have already received a foreclosure notice, you should contact your lender immediately.

Homeowners also may seek the advice of a reputable housing, financial or credit counselor, attorney, or other qualified professional. Homeowners may visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Web site at http://www.hud.gov/ to view its Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure and its list of California HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. In addition, the non-profit Homeownership Preservation Foundation has a 24/7 toll-free Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at (999) 995-HOPE.

California Association of Realtors 525 South Virgil Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020 • www.car.org