Foreclosure and Loan Modification Blog

The Internet makes holiday shopping so easy—no fighting for parking spaces at jam-packed malls, no waiting in endless lines to get to the register. But, even if you consider yourself a pro, shopping online isn't without risks. These five tips from USA.gov can help you protect yourself and your finances as you hunt for that perfect gift:

1. Use a credit card rather than a debit card. Credit card payments can be withheld if there's a dispute with a store, and if the card is stolen, you won't have to pay more than $50 of fraudulent charges. But with a debit card, you can't withhold payments—the store is paid directly from your bank account. And if your card is stolen, you could be liable for up to $500, depending on when you report it.
2. Find out if the public WiFi hotspot you're using at a coffee shop or bookstore is secure. If it's not, your payment information could be compromised over the network.
3. It's risky not to read the terms of service agreement before you buy online. You could inadvertently sign up for subscriptions or get hit with additional fees or restrictions. Terms of service are often in small print or presented right when you are anxious to purchase.
4. Be careful if you're buying event tickets online as gifts. Some venues may practice restricted ticketing, requiring the same credit card used in the online purchase to be shown to get into the event.

According to the Fidelity 2014 New Year Financial Resolutions Study, 54 percent of respondents are planning a financial resolution in 2014, up from 46 percent last year. With the new year officially underway, millions of Americans will be looking for ways to achieve their financial goals.

Robert Lindquist, Ashford University professor and author of "Financial Independence for the New Generation," offers four strategic tips for managing money and creating personal wealth:

Money Is Freedom – To accumulate wealth, we need to save money. This seems simple but many people say that bills prevent them from saving. The trick is not focusing on the amount of savings, but the process. Because it takes discipline to save money, the key is semi-enforced saving – paying yourself first and using leftovers for bills and other needs. Even $1 a day will make a difference.

Cut the Card – If money equals freedom, debt equals servitude. We live in a credit-driven society, with high credit card balances and finance rates. Although we need to establish credit for larger purchases, such as a home, the key is to avoid creating debt. To reduce credit card obligations, it's necessary to cut the cards and apply any extra money, such as a bonus or birthday gift to debt reduction. Creating a strategic plan for lowering balances and switching to a debit card can expedite the process.

Millions of Americans are struggling financially. Some are at risk of or are already in foreclosure.

There have always been shady "Fix it Fast" companies that are trying to take advantage of people who need help. Scams can be easy to spot if you are well-informed about today's most common schemes.

1. Foreclosure Rescue Scam

The Foreclosure Rescue Scam usually includes a "counselor" contacting someone in foreclosure and telling them they can help negotiate their loan modification with the bank to stop the foreclosure, all for an upfront preset fee. There are already two problems with that promise:

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: 

1. 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.
2. 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.

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.

By John Voket, RISMedia Columnist

In a previous segment, I touched on several options for mortgage holders who are underwater. Then I ran across some particularly timely information courtesy of Anna Kerr of Refinanceitt.com, an online refinance loan company in Schaumburg, SC.

Kerr says if you are lacking behind in the mortgage and are not able to qualify for loan modification or some other kind of payment, you should opt for mortgage modification.

Home loan modification permits the consumer to interact with the lender and avail the desired loan terms and conditions. According to Kerr, you can state your preferences, which will enable you to pay the loan with ease and comfort.

She says chances are the lender will either decrease the mortgage modification rate, which will in turn decrease your payment per month, or give an extension in the loan term and be assured that the dues are included in the main balance of the loan.

Kerr says you begin by calling up the lender or the present mortgage service provider who has been given rights by your lender. Before contacting your lender, however, keep in mind three important things.

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.

If you think that ignoring errors on your credit report falls into the category of 'not worth sweating over,' think again. Mistakes on your credit report, whether they are tiny errors or major mistakes, can damage your credit rating and may indicate possible fradulent activity. If you find information that you believe is inaccurate, you have the right to dispute it free of charge.

 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. 

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.