Seven Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

By Barbara Pronin

Identity theft is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your credit. Preventing it starts with managing your personal information carefully and sensibly. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends seven simple precautions:

Carry only essential documents – On any given day, go not carry extra credit cards, your Social Security card, a birth certificate or passport with you outside the house unless they will be needed.
Keep new checks out of the mail – When ordering new checks, pick them up at the bank, if possible, instead of having them sent to your home.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Tuesday, December 17, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] mortgage fraud, loan modification scams in Florida, Scam Alert

Fraudsters have discovered new ways to steal money and information thanks to the popularity of social networking sites, unsecured public Internet access points and online activities like shopping, buying and selling, dating and gaming. Online fraud may be the latest way to scam people, but it is not the only approach that is used.

"The best way to avoid becoming a victim of fraud is to protect your personal and financial information at all times. Whether you're at home, in a public place, on the phone or online, keep in mind that someone could steal personal information if it is not properly protected," says Ursula Menke, Commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC). "Fraud can be committed by anyone—someone close to you, someone in your community, or a distant stranger," she adds.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Tuesday, December 3, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] mortgage fraud, Scam Alert

By John Voket, RISMedia Consumer Confidant

With the uptick in mortgage and loan fraud in recent years, we tapped the Federal Trade Commission and continue our look at the agency's list of red flags to help you stay safe from scam artists and fraudulent mortgage or loan purveyors.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Tuesday, November 5, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] mortgage fraud, loan modification scams in Florida, Scam Alert

Recently, the foreclosure process has been in a state of disarray, as banks, regulators and lawyers struggle to uncover issues and faults within the system. As a result of this confusion, some homeowners either currently in the foreclosure process or in danger of foreclosing may lack a clear direction or be unsure of what steps to take next. "It is imperative that these individuals reach out to their lender now to avoid an unwelcome outcome later. The most dangerous thing a homeowner can do is nothing," says Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com.

Lenders typically lose money when they foreclose on a property, and because of this, they are often motivated to reach some sort of conclusion with struggling borrowers. It's important to recognize the fact that lenders will usually respond to a settlement offer made by a borrower. Homeowners concerned about their ability to continue paying on a mortgage should take advantage of the opportunity and reach out to their lender to open a line of communication.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Tuesday, October 15, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] stop foreclosure, mortgage fraud, Scam Alert

We Saved This Homeowner From Green Tree Mortgage Servicing

The arms of the banks have no idea what the legs are doing, and it's turning into one disastrous dance for American homeowners.

Thousands of homeowners have lost their homes, and many others are still struggling with their mortgages today because of this disconnect; a disconnect that causes many homeowners to lose their homes. Homeowners are being held back the most by the extreme lack of communication between various departments of mortgage lenders. For example, many people who had successfully received loan modifications from their lenders were illegally confronted with foreclosure after cementing the terms of their loan modifications.

One of our clients faced three foreclosure sale dates due to Green Tree Mortgage Servicing's disorganization, but our foreclosure defense lawyers intervened to force Green Tree mortgage to play by the rules. We enabled him to keep his home.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Wednesday, September 18, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] loan modification, foreclosure defense, mortgage fraud, Greentree loan modification

Mortgage Shopping 101

Making Sense of the Mortgage Market

Shopping for a mortgage can be time-consuming and difficult for homebuyers, especially in today’s market where many buyers don’t know where to begin. The Federal Reserve Board has put together the following tips so that you can make sense of the mortgage market and be sure you are getting the mortgage that is right for you.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Tuesday, September 17, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] mortgage fraud, mortgage modification, Scam Alert, mortgage shopping,, lenders

The United States has sent a clear message to loan modification scammers and perpetrators of mortgage fraud: we're coming to get you.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Friday, September 13, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] loan modification, mortgage fraud, Scam Alert

Every day there seems to be another headline about foreclosures.

Foreclosures rising, foreclosures as a good investment-even foreclosure bus tours. But sometimes homeowners need a little advice from a trustworthy source.

From the Federal Reserve Board, here are five tips for avoiding foreclosure scams:

[fa icon="clock-o"] Tuesday, September 10, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] mortgage fraud, loan modification scams in Florida

Learn How the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Protects You From Harassment by Debt Collectors

Mortgage lenders and other debt collectors are well-known for harassing people with consistent, annoying phone calls and threatening messages. Most people don't know that there are laws in place to protect them from these phone calls. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (hereinafter referred to as “FDCPA") limits the timing and recurrence of phone calls from creditors, and also gives consumers the ability to opt out of debt collection calls with a simple cease-and-desist letter. It's disappointing that more people don't take advantage of these consumer protection laws.

[fa icon="clock-o"] Friday, July 19, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] bank of america loan modification problems, mortgage fraud

Don't Be Scammed Into Paying For What's Yours

After surviving the ills of predatory lending and predatory foreclosure, Florida homeowners have been complaining about a new type of predator.

Florida Certified Record Retrieval Letter

[fa icon="clock-o"] Friday, June 7, 2013 [fa icon="user"] Jake Sterling [fa icon="folder-open'] mortgage fraud

Foreclosure and Loan Modification Blog

Seven Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Fraud Facts: Keep Yourself Safe Online

Red Flags: Be Wary of Mortgage Scams

Don't Let Industry Confusion Stand in the Way of Action

Our Lawyers Felled Green Tree Mortgage: a Foreclosure Defense Story

We Saved This Homeowner From Green Tree Mortgage Servicing

Mortgage Shopping 101

Mortgage Shopping 101

Making Sense of the Mortgage Market

U.S. Marshals Send Message to Mortgage Scammers

5 Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Scams

You Can Stop Harassing Phone Calls from Your Mortgage Lender

Learn How the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Protects You From Harassment by Debt Collectors

Homeowner Deed SCAM WARNING: Pass on Paying Public Record Predators

Don't Be Scammed Into Paying For What's Yours

About this Blog

Subscribe to Email Updates

Lists by Topic

Foreclosure Process Handbook

Sitemap

Subscribe

Recent Posts

Contact Us

Call (877) 882-5338

Fax: (954) 919-6337

View our Office Locations