Insider knowledge has enabled mortgage and real estate fraud criminals to thrive in ways never before imagined and those at greatest risk: mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents. 

Foreclosure rescue scams are a way of life for criminals but there are ways around victimization. 

Potential Warning Signs

The individual, enterprise or business entity offering assistance requests payment upfront for services that average $2,500 and up.

The individual, enterprise or business entity offering assistance is not a registered business entity, has no web address or online presence and email addresses used do not match the company name. 

The individual, enterprise or business entity offering assistance presents the win-win scenario of temporarily placing a family facing foreclosure into another home that is controlled by the individual, enterprise or business entity offering assistance.

The individual, enterprise or business entity mandates that only companies and or affiliates of their companies are used at all times during the transaction.  

The individual, enterprise or business entity offering assistance states they recently assisted someone on your street or nearby with the same problem.  This is often how individuals, enterprises and business entities gain control of neighborhoods and fraudulently inflate market values for an entire neighborhood.

The individual, enterprise or business entity uses lease option to purchase contracts and states that they will purchase your home "Subject To" the existing mortgage. 

The individual, enterprise or business entity stresses the need to place the home into a real estate trust, particularly a land trust agreement.

The individual, enterprise or business entity states the need to have a power of attorney in order to sign documents on the borrower's behalf. 

The individual, enterprise or business entity directs the borrower to make monthly mortgage payments to them instead of the lender.

The individual, enterprise or business entity requests blank checks from the borrower for accounting purposes. 

Always remain in contact with your lender and ensure to open mail from your lender promptly. 

Never Quit Claim your property to anyone for any reason without first notifying your lender first. 

If you are asked to sign something concerning your property, ensure to ask questions and receive answers in writing prior to signing. 

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