| There is a saying that good news travels fast but | | | | • Tries to convince you to sign over the |
| bad news travels at the speed of light. If you | | | | deed to them right then and there. If you are |
| happen to be embroiled in a foreclosure you | | | | going to sign over the deed, make sure you |
| probably understand what I mean. Aside from the | | | | understand the ramifications of doing this, and |
| bill collectors hounding you daily there now | | | | that you have had a chance to review ALL of |
| appears another group of people bent on being | | | | the documents. |
| the one and only ray of hope left if you want to | | | | • Have a real person answer the phone |
| stop foreclosure. | | | | twenty-four hours a day. |
| I am not saying all these individuals or companies | | | | As stated before there are numerous companies |
| are simply out to make a quick buck off your | | | | that do deliver on their promise. How can you |
| dilemma. There are many reputable outfits ready, | | | | identify these? |
| willing, and able to provide you with legitimate | | | | • Are willing to offer a free initial |
| foreclosure prevention service. You must perform | | | | consultation and go over your unique situation. |
| your due diligence before making your choice. | | | | • Make it clear you have no obligation to |
| These scam artists often charge high fees and | | | | them. |
| take the money and run, and the homeowner find | | | | • Are willing to explain what your |
| themselves in a worsened financial predicament. | | | | foreclosure prevention entitlements are. |
| They target people already in a distressed and | | | | • Are honest about their foreclosure |
| highly vulnerable state, and who have the least | | | | prevention success rate, and make no guarantees |
| amount of excess funds to take away from | | | | of being 100% successful. |
| preventing foreclosure. These entities collect fees | | | | • Registered with the Better Business |
| ranging from a few hundred up to thousands of | | | | Bureau and have a proven track record of |
| dollars and simply do not deliver on their promise. | | | | consumer satisfaction. |
| Consumers have complained they never received | | | | • Have a real person answer the phone |
| help, or when they complained, no refund was | | | | twenty-four hours a day instead of directing you |
| forthcoming. | | | | to an answering machine. |
| What advice should a homeowner follow to | | | | Understandably it is tough to make rational |
| prevent becoming a victim of this ruse? If you | | | | decisions under stress. You must keep your wits |
| are facing foreclosure, be very wary of an | | | | about you when choosing a foreclosure |
| individual or company that: | | | | prevention service. Your credit rating and finances |
| • Can't position themselves and tell you | | | | will be affected by this decision for years to |
| exactly how they can help you.. | | | | come. |
| • Before providing any service asks for | | | | Do you know if the voice on the other end of |
| a fee up front. | | | | the phone has your best interests in mind |
| • Makes the claim that for the service | | | | regarding helping you avoid home foreclosure? |
| to work you must send your home mortgage | | | | There are a few important things to know to |
| payments directly to them. | | | | prevent making an already stressful worse. |