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Foreclosure and Loan Modification Blog

Fraud Facts: Keep Yourself Safe Online

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.

Red Flags: Be Wary of Mortgage Scams

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.

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

 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. 

Our Lawyers Felled Green Tree Mortgage: a Foreclosure Defense Story

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.

Mortgage Shopping 101

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.

U.S. Marshals Send Message to Mortgage Scammers

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

5 Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Scams

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:

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

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.

Homeowner Deed SCAM WARNING: Pass on Paying Public Record Predators

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

Mortgage Fraud: The Inside Story

How Mortgage Fraud, Bad Loans, and Predatory Lending Caused The Great Recession

The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation both point to mortgage fraud as being one of the primary causes of the housing market crash and mortgage lending meltdown that tipped the United States and the world into recession. In fact, in 2004, the FBI specifically warned that the exponential increase of mortgage fraud could cause banking industry losses and failures comparable to those experienced during the S & L crisis, which cost American taxpayers $132 billion.

About this Blog

Amerihope Alliance Legal Services is a leading loan modification and foreclosure defense law firm with attorneys licensed in 5 states. We have helped over 7,000 homeowners fight back and keep their homes.

Click to Read Our Super Loan Mod Success Stories

Our goal is to provide valuable information to help homeowners who are trying to obtain a loan modification or to stop foreclosure. You may schedule a free consultation at any time.

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