Alert - Don’t Become a Victim of Mortgage Scams

The Obama Administration recently announced the Making Home Af­fordable Program, designed to assist up to nine million American families refinance or modify their loans to a monthly mortgage payment that is more affordable. Due to the over­whelming interest in the plan, hom­eowners are increasingly becoming the target of scammers trying to take advantage of families with false promises and steep fees to provide foreclosure assistance. With Presi­dent Obama’s plan, a homeowner NEVER has to pay to participate in the program. If you wish to obtain counseling assistance, HUD urges you to contact a local HUD-approved housing counseling agency to en­sure they are receiving legitimate information.

HUD counseling agencies are designed to provide advice to consumers on:
• Buying a home
• Renting a home
• Loan defaults
• Foreclosures
• Credit Issues
• Reverse mortgages

Get help here:

Making Home Affordable
http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/

HUD Approved Counselor
www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm

HUD
http://www.hud.gov/

HUD Housing Counseling
800-569-4287

Hope Now
888-995-4673

The U.S. Federal Trade Commis­sion works for the consumer to pre­vent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. If you feel you have been a victim of a foreclosure scam, to file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, contact: www. ftc.gov or 877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382- 4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261

**Special thanks to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for supplying this important information.