Feldman Law Center – Avoiding Loan Modification Scams
December 31st, 2009 by adminAvoiding a loan modification scam can be difficult, especially if you have not done your homework. Today, recent statistics show that one in ten homeowners is either in foreclosure or behind on their payments. This means there are millions of homeowners in dangerous financial positions, with millions more on the brink of chaos. There are so many loan modification companies in California, let alone America, that keeping on top of the illegitimate ones is impossible.
Here are some common loan modification scams being perpetrated throughout California:
The Disappearing Foreclosure Professional ? This is the kind of person who promises the world, then takes a payment and finally just vanishes. This individual will perform little or no service, will take your money and will leave you with all the problems you had to start with.
Loan Modification Helpers ? In this situation, a loan modification “expert” claiming they can negotiate directly with your bank. However, they never produce the results they promise. Sometimes, the expert will gain your trust and try to get you to make payments directly to them. Unfortunately, this loan modification scam can take quite a bit of your money.
Sale and Leaseback Scams ? There are people out there claiming to be able to bail you out of a jam. You sign over your house to the scam artist and then pay that person rent. They then claim that they will sell the house back to you at a bargain price later. Of course, being that this is a scam, these people often sell the house out from under the former owner, and they don’t tell the current occupants. What winds up happening is that you rent the home you used to own, then the home gets sold and you are left homeless.
Books and Seminars ? While attending a loan modification seminar, or buying a “do your own loan modification” book is not necessarily a scam, they can be misleading. Good writers and good public speakers can often portray a scenario as being much easier than it really is. For example, the loan modification process is complex, and there is quite a bit on the line for you and your family. A loan modification seminar or loan modification book will suggest that it is a simple process that you can handle all on your own. However, without a solid understanding of real estate, mortgages, foreclosure, the courts and lenders, doing a loan modification on your own is extremely difficult. You wind up exposing yourself to all kinds of mistakes, and without someone helping you there is a great chance you could be taken advantage of by a lender.
Finding a quality loan modification company is important. The Feldman Law Center has been around for many years, and we are constantly helping people who are facing foreclosure and other financial challenges. If you are afraid of losing your home, a California loan modification attorney can walk you through the loan modification process, negotiate with lenders and help keep you in your home, where you belong.
Visit us at http://www.feldmanlawcenter.com or call 800-588-0425
Legal Disclaimer
The information contained herein is provided for general information and advertising purposes only and is not intended to convey a legal option nor legal advice for any particular case or situation. Nothing in this article shall create an attorney-client relationship. Nothing sent to this law office via e-mail shall constitute an attorney-client relationship. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to be a guarantee or prediction of result. Prior results are provided for general information purposes only and do not guaranty, warranty or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Results achieved depend on individual circumstances and not everyone will qualify or be successful in restructuring their mortgage loan.
Author: Greg Feldman
Don’t Loose Your Home To A Foreclosure Scam.
October 15th, 2009 by Doc SchmyzHome foreclosure is a VERY common problem that people face today. More often than not it starts from one missed payment which the spirals out of control. Before you know it you have missed three or four payments and the lender/ bank wants you to pay everything you owe all at once. Now the home owner panics and is looking for some type of “help”.
This is when the swindlers and crooks find their way into your mailbox or give you a call. Foreclosure scams are as common as the problem itself. Since homeowners believe that they have no choice they fall for these traps and make their situation much worse than it was before. It is not uncommon for these scams to lead to even greater financial problems then the homeowner faced in the first place. In many cases the homeowner ends up becoming a identity theft case as well.
Scam operators also advertise online, publish advertisements in the local newspaper, distribute flyers, and call homes which are included on the foreclosure list. They call themselves mortgage consultants who offer foreclosure services or advertise with “We buy houses” slogans.
Common scams:
Bankruptcy Foreclosure Scam
This scam operates by promising the homeowner that their house will be saved. In return they will either ask for the homeowner to pay their mortgage directly to them, hand over their deed and pay rent, or obtain refinancing. Of course these crooks never do anything for you…they contact NO ONE on your behalf. They keep all the money and file bankruptcy without your knowledge. Eventually they just skip town on you. Your problem has not gone away, nor has anyone put you a step closer to saving your home.
Since the homeowner is not aware that bankruptcy has been filed, they fail to participate in the case. The case is dismissed and the house continues onto foreclosure. Apart from loosing money and your home, you will also have a bankruptcy on your record.
Equity skimming
The scam artist poses as a buyer. They then promise the homeowner to pay the mortgage or given them a sum of money once the property has been sold. The operator then convinces the homeowner to sign over the deed and move out. The homeowner can stay but they have to pay rent. If they opt to move out the operator lets a third party rent the property. The operator does not pay the mortgage and lets the mortgage lender foreclose. and of course they skip town and are never seen/heard from again.
If the house has equity, the operator sells the property and pays off the debt. Then the operator keeps the equity that the homeowner could have had if they sold it. In few cases, the scam operator actually finds a buyer or sells the house.
About the Author:
Doc Schmyz has worked with investors all over the US. His free website shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find real estate information by state
