Whenever a homeowner is struggling, there may be the need to reach out for help as a means of keeping one’s home. While there are many widely recommended programs available, there are those who have intentionally scammed people who simply want help so they can avoid home foreclosure. Recently, a Florida based company and their practices made news as it was investigated for scamming homeowners in another state.
The company used local agents in the state in which it operated to bilk customers. It referred struggling homeowners to professionals who vowed to help them obtain loan modifications. The company charged these homeowners a few thousand dollars for the help.
In all, consumers in Hawaii were bilked out of more than $1.5 million. After paying for the help, some people still had to face home foreclosure. One tip for homeowners everywhere is to seek help as soon as it may be needed. If someone is the victim of a scam such as this, it is advised to come forward, as many people never do. By coming forward, there is a chance of getting some restitution.
It can be difficult to know where to turn or who to trust when a homeowner is dealing with the possibility of home foreclosure. There are many resources for Florida homeowners, along with options that homeowners may not even know about. Filing for bankruptcy protection under the right circumstances or looking more in-depth into loan modification possibilities might be of benefit for any homeowner still struggling to get back on an even keel financially.
Source: kitv.com, “Homeowners in foreclosure target of growing scam“, , April 15, 2014