During the financial turmoil all over the nation, consumers still have to be worried about falling victim to the increasing amount of scams in addition to worrying about staying on track with their personal finances. Due to the increasing rate in the number of home foreclosures, many consumers are looking to get help and at that point they are usually in a desperate situation. It is these vulnerabilities that leave consumers open to the predatory people who are looking to take their money while promising to save their home. They post guarantees to cease foreclosure on the internet, television and in the newspapers. Out of desperation, many people will do anything to save their family’s home but end up getting taking for a ride. The con agency takes your money and becomes invisible and you end up losing your home anyway.

How To Spot The Unscrupulous People
Con artists today have a big advantage with technology. There are many ways to make their “company” look legitimate and official. Keeping tabs on what’s real and what isn’t is no easy task. One red flag should be companies that name their company or use a URL address that is similar to the various governmental programs available set up to help homeowners. Some even go so far as to say they are affiliated with the governmental assistance.

Here are a few tips for evaluating different loan modification assistance companies:

• If you are contacted by phone, do not hesitate to ask for a call back number, which can help you confirm the companies identity when you call them back. If the representative declines to give you that number, hang up and do not divulge any personal information.

• By phone, email, or mail, if you are asked to pay upfront fees or give out personal financial information, it’s a big red flag. Legitimate companies would never ask you for any of this information without the proper paperwork or signed agreement.

• When reviewing websites, look for URL addresses that end in .gov. Even if a site has the word “government” or other related terms in their address, does not mean they are legitimate.

• You should never have to pay for assistance. There are HUD approved counseling agencies that offer free advice and assistance with preventing home foreclosures.

Keep in mind that the marketing tactics scam companies employ can be very good and easily misleading. They are very aware of how impatient and desperate people are to keep from going into foreclosure and they will capitalize on that desperation in every way they can. The money you are handing over will be stolen instead of used for saving your home. Visit a legitimate agency for help or check out the Obama administration’s Make Home Affordable website for more information about saving your home.