Another Day, Another Scammer

According the California Attorney General Kamala Harris, "the defendants suggested the banks would pay, but the only people who paid were these homeowners."  Distressed homeowners grasping at straws, hoping for help that seldom arrives.

In this case it was attorneys utilizing call centers and aggressive mailing and telemarketing campaigns to entice struggling homeowners to shell out $3,500 to $10,000 in expectation of legal help that would solve their mortgage problem.  Sometimes the 'Avoid Foreclosure' scams involve sophisticated operators, like this one.  Other times the scams are perpetrated by the very UNsophisticated.  But in the end, these scams result in a painful experience for homeowners already suffering.

If it Sounds too Good to be True

A good rule of thumb, if it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly contains an unpleasant hook.  However, the people that try and draw unsuspecting homeowners in can be very convincing.  It's important to keep in mind that when you are having trouble with your mortgage, the bad guys can buy the information and target you.  It is rarely an accident when someone seeks you out to offer a solution to your mortgage problem - usually they knock on your door.  Other times, the bad guys get you to resond to an add, or what they call "bandit signs" that are strategically place along busy roadways.

How to Avoid Scams

 First, know what to look for.  The bad guys can be pretty convincing, but most of the scams fall into a few recognizable categories.  We outline those for you on our website - The Seven Things Never To Do.  Click the link and we will walk you through what to look out for.

Second, know who to contact when think you might be dealing with a scammer.  You can always contact us, seven days a week, and we will answer your questions and help you avoid trouble.  If you think you have been approached by someone who needs to be reported, here are a couple options:

If someone presents a “solution” to you that just does not feel right, or if you fear that you have fallen

victim to a scam, you can call: The local office of the FBI. The Sacramento field office phone number is (916) 481-9110. If the scam involves a real estate agent contact The California Department of Real Estate. You can go to their website at www.dre.ca.gov, or call the consumer complaint line at (916) 227-0864.