Mortgage Relief Fraud: Will You Be the Next Victim?

Not if I have anything to say about it! Mortgage relief scams tend to show up whenever homeowners are under financial pressure. That’s why it’s my duty to educate homeowners in my community on the cautions they need to take, and the protections in place to help keep you safe from unscrupulous individuals and companies who want to take advantage of their desperate situations. What you need to watch out for if you are looking for mortgage relief assistance:

1. Upfront fees—just don’t pay them! In fact, federal rules generally prohibit them for mortgage relief services.
2. A request to sign over your deed (this only spells trouble)
3. Lots of paperwork without the opportunity for review
4. The claim of government-affiliation

These are just a few red flags you need to be wary of. If something about an offer doesn’t feel right, it’s worth pausing and asking questions before you sign anything. If you are struggling with an unaffordable mortgage and are looking for help, educate yourself. These scammers can be very shrewd and will say almost anything to steal your money. The Federal Trade Commission has required disclosures of anyone offering mortgage relief services. If you’d like to see an example, check out any of the pages of my website. If a company you are dealing with has not provided these disclosures, please ask why they are not compliant, and proceed with caution! As a CDPE, you can trust that I have the tools to be in full compliance of FTC regulations, and will always work with your best interests at heart. If you want viable alternatives to foreclosure, give me a call today. I’m always here to help!

Scams change their look over time, but the warning signs stay much the same. If you’re weighing an offer of mortgage help and would like a second set of eyes, with no pressure and no judgment, reach out through reynoldsrealty.com or call or text 941-737-6562. — Linda Reynolds, Reynolds Realty Gulf Coast