Helpful Tips and Links

http://www.ag.ny.gov/features/foreclosure_rescue_scams/helpful_tips_lin...

Helpful Tips and Links

The Attorney General offers the following tips for homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments: Call your lender or mortgage servicer immediately to discuss the available alternatives to foreclosure. Many lenders offer foreclosure avoidance programs and have pledged publicly to assist distressed borrowers. To obtain foreclosure assistance or contact your mortgage lender, call the Federal Housing Administration at 1-800-CALL-FHA or visit www.fha.gov Respond to your lender or mortgage servicer. Some lenders and servicers contact homeowners to discuss available foreclosure avoidance options. Consult with a government-approved housing counseling agency. To find counselors approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in your local area, call 1-800-569-4287 or visit www.hud.gov. A list of housing counselors also can be found on the website of the NYS Banking Department at www.banking.state.ny.us. Check your eligibility for the federal government's modification program. You may qualify for assistance under the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). If you cannot afford to make your monthly mortgage payments, you may qualify for a loan modification to make your monthly payment more affordable. To find out more about the program, visit www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov. Call HOPE NOW at 1-888-995-HOPE. HOPE NOW is an alliance of housing counselors, mortgage companies, investors, and other mortgage market participants that provides free foreclosure prevention assistance. If you live in New York City, call 311 to schedule free foreclosure counseling sessions at the Center for New York City Neighborhoods. Visit www.ftc.gov and www.LoanScamAlert.org to learn more about foreclosure rescue scams. If you are a victim of foreclosure fraud, call the New York State Attorney General's Office Consumer Helpline at 1-800-771-7755 or visit www.ag.ny.gov Avoid scams. Beware of the following: Anyone who offers to arrange to stop or delay foreclosure for an upfront fee. Anyone who offers to pay your mortgage or save your home if you transfer the deed to your home. Anyone who offers to make your mortgage payments for you. Anyone who advises you to stop making your mortgage payments or to ignore calls from your lender or mortgage servicer. Direct solicitations sent via mail, e-mail, or telephone or in-person solicitations at your doorstep. For-profit companies with names suggesting a government affiliation or who claim to be approved by the government. For-profit companies that claim they have a relationship with attorneys but do not provide legal services.

Helpful Links
The New York State Banking Department's Help for Homeowners in Foreclosure Foreclosure Prevention Counselors (by county): New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal can help you find a not-for-profit housing counselor in your area. Not-for-profit housing counselors provide free, professional advice. The federal government's Web site for the "Making Home Affordable" program To find counselors approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in your local area, call 1-800-569-4287, or visit www.hud.gov To obtain foreclosure assistance or contact your mortgage lender, call the Federal Housing Administration at 1-800CALL-FHA or visit www.fha.gov If you are a victim of foreclosure fraud, call the New York State Attorney Generals Office Consumer Helpline at 1-800-771-7755 or visit www.ag.ny.gov For more tips, see the Attorney General's brochure, Avoid Foreclosure and Rescue Scams

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7/2/2011 6:00 PM

Helpful Tips and Links

http://www.ag.ny.gov/features/foreclosure_rescue_scams/helpful_tips_lin...

2 of 2

7/2/2011 6:00 PM