TIPS FOR CONSUMERS ON AVOIDING FORECLOSURE “RESCUE” SCAMS

[Dawn Marie Bates-Buchanan]

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS ON AVOIDING FORECLOSURE
“RESCUE” SCAMS

People who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments or may do so in the near future are being disproportionately targeted for so-called foreclosure “rescue” scams.

That is where a con artist who promises to help you save your home is actually intent on stealing your home or most of the equity you have accumulated in your home.

What is a Foreclosure “Rescue” Scam?

Phantom Help
Foreclosure rescue scams most often appear in one of three varieties. The first might be called “phantom help,” where the “rescuer” charges outrageous fees either for light-duty phone calls and paperwork the homeowner could have easily done or makes a promise of additional robust representation that never occurs. In either event the homeowner is usually left without enough assistance to save the home, and with little or no time left to prevent the loss of the home or seek other assistance.

False “Bailouts”
A second variety of the scam is the “bailout” that never quite works. This scenario includes various schemes under which the homeowner surrenders title to the house in the belief that she is entering a deal where she will be able to remain as a renter, then repurchase the home over the next few years. Homeowners are sometimes told that surrendering title is necessary so that someone with a better credit rating can secure new financing to prevent the loss of the home. Beware! The terms of these deals are almost invariably so bad that the buyback becomes impossible, the homeowner permanently loses possession, and the “rescuers” walk off with all or most of the home’s equity.

Bait-And-Switch
The third variety is a bait-and-switch where the homeowner does not realize she is surrendering ownership of the house in exchange for a “rescue.” Many homeowners later insist that they believed they were only signing documents for a new loan to make the mortgage

How does a Foreclosure Rescue Scam Work?

The “rescuer” identifies distressed homeowners through public foreclosure notices in newspapers or at government offices. The “rescuer” then contacts the homeowner by phone, personal visit, card or flyer left at the door, or advertising. The initial contact typically revolves around a simple message such as “Stop foreclosure with just one phone call,” “I’d like to $ buy $ your house,” “You have options,” or “Do you need instant debt relief and CASH?” This contact also frequently contains a “time is of the essence” theme, adding a note of urgency to what is already a stressful and possibly desperate situation.
The initial meetings stress the promise of a “fresh start” and often feature written or recorded “testimonials” from other homeowners the scammer allegedly saved. At the meetings, homeowners are frequently instructed to cease all contact with lawyers or the mortgage lender and let the “rescuer” handle all negotiations. This dangerous tactic simultaneously cuts off access to possible refinancing options while running out the clock on alternatives to prevent the foreclosure.
Once it is too late to save the home the property is either taken by the “rescuer” or, having been drained of substantial equity through the “rescuer’s” imposition of heavy fees and other charges, simply lost to foreclosure. Many homeowners are then summarily evicted by their “rescuer” from the home they once owned.

How to Avoid Foreclosure “Rescue” Scams
Proceed with extreme caution if an individual or company:
*Calls itself a "mortgage consultant," "foreclosure service," or something similar.
*Contacts or advertises to people whose homes are listed for foreclosure, including anyone who sends flyers or solicits door-to-door or by phone.
*Collects a fee before providing services to you.
*Tells you to make your home mortgage payments directly to the individual or company (and not the mortgage lender).
*Tells you to transfer your property deed or title to the individual or company.

Contrary to advice given by many scammers, homeowners in trouble SHOULD stay in touch with their mortgage company, contacting the company or a lawyer first when in trouble. There are many ways to prevent the loss of your home, or at least to walk away with all or most of its accumulated equity if all else fails and you are forced to sell.

Do not be afraid to seek help! Many people in distress often don’t exercise their rights, or think that what’s happening to them is just a price they must pay for financial trouble. That is not true! In most cases you DO NOT have to lose your home or a big slice of its accumulated equity to get out of a debt. At worst an orderly sale of this precious asset may leave you a renter again, but at least you will take away the equity you have accumulated in your house through rising home values and years of payments.

Some major DON’Ts for homeowners in trouble:
*Don’t panic. Get information on the foreclosure process in your state; find out how much time you have to resolve your problems short of losing your home. Make sure you understand all the deadlines for responding to court documents, documents from lenders and other important papers. Be sure that you know the point at which you can lose the legal right to own your home.
*Never sign a contract under pressure. Take your time to review the paperwork thoroughly, preferably with a lawyer who is representing your interests only.
*Don’t sign away ownership of your property (often referred to as a “quit claim deed”) to anyone without advice from your lawyer. Be especially suspicious of offers to take over ownership of your home as part of a deal that will allow you to lease it and then buy it back after two or three years; experience shows that the buy-back is often extremely expensive or otherwise out of reach, so in reality you either never get your home back or, if you do, you have paid an outrageous amount to recover it.
*Don’t pay your mortgage payments to someone other than your lender even if he or she promises to pass the payments on to the mortgage company. And if you find you cannot pay your mortgage do not ignore warning letters from your mortgage lender. Call your lender or a lawyer for help.
*Beware of any home sale contract where you are not formally released from liability for your mortgage. Surprisingly, some people lose their home but still wind up holding the mortgage! Make sure you know what rights you are giving up in any contract and that you agree to giving them up.
*Never make a verbal agreement. Get all promises in writing and get copies of the agreement.
*Don't sign anything containing blank lines or spaces. Information can be added later without your permission.
*Don’t fall for promises like these, often used to lure homeowners into deals that will cost them far, far more than they will “save.”
o “We will save your credit.”


o “We will pay your first two months’ rent or payments in your new place.”
o “You will get several thousand dollars in cash back that you can use any way you want.”
o “If you sign the house over to us the foreclosure will be recorded against us, not you.”
o “We will buy your house ‘as is.’”
o “We guarantee we will find you a buyer in seven (or 14) days.”
o “We will help you file bankruptcy to stop this foreclosure.”
o “It may cost you thousands more if your property is sold at public auction.”
o “We will give you $40.00 in Free Gas.”
*If you do not speak English, use your own translator; do not depend on the “rescue” firm’s translator or anyone else’s.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on foreclosure “rescue” scams and how to avoid them please see feel free to contact Gulfcoast Legal Services, Inc. at www.gulfcoastlegal.org or by contacting one of our offices at

641 First Street S
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
[phone]

314 S. Missouri Ave, Suite 109
Clearwater, FL 33756
[phone]

430 12th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34205
[phone]


Glasser-Schoenbaum
Human Services Center
1750 -17th Street
Building I
Sarasota, FL 34234
[phone]

Family Justice Center
9309 N. Florida Ave
Suite 109
Tampa, FL 33612
[phone]
[phone]