Looking to take a ride tomorrow if the rain stays away for a bit. Weather has been fantastic with the cloud coverage so I need to take advantage of it before a blessed busy weekend in Real Estate! Enjoy your weekend everyone.
I found this article and want to pass it on.
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 16, 2012
CONTACT: Tom Pool, (916) 227-0772
California Department of Real Estate ï‚Ÿ 2201 Broadway ï‚Ÿ Sacramento, CA 95818 ï‚Ÿ (916) 227-0772 ï‚Ÿ www.dre.ca.gov
Real Estate MATTERS!
Department of Real Estate Issues New Consumer Alert --
Special Warning to Spanish-Speaking Homeowners and Tips on Avoiding Scams
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has issued a Consumer Alert to
help Spanish-speaking consumers avoid falling victim to foreclosure rescue scams. The DRE, whose
mission is to protect and safeguard the public interests in real estate matters, issued the alert in
response to the large number of cases that involve scammers who specifically target non-English
speaking homeowners in the Latino community.
“Based on the cases we prosecute, it is clear that Spanish-speaking fraudsters are targeting
homeowners by taking advantage of the culture of trust within the Latino community” stated Wayne
Bell, the DRE’s Chief Counsel and author of the special warning. The typical scam involves the
promise of a loan modification or other mortgage or foreclosure relief in exchange for an upfront fee,
but once the fee is paid little or nothing is done to help the homeowner.
The warning provides tips on how homeowners can avoid mortgage relief scams, which include:
ï‚· Watch out for promises of guaranteed success. An ad on the television or radio, or in a
newspaper, magazine or on the Internet, does not mean that what is advertised is lawful or
truthful. No one can promise that a loan modification or other relief plan will be successful.
ï‚· Do not place your trust in someone just because he or she speaks Spanish or may share the
same or a similar background with you. A scammer will use a similar background and ability to
speak your language to convince you to part with your money and/or property.
ï‚· Never pay an upfront fee for loan modification services. Such fees are illegal.
ï‚· Never pay in cash, or wire cash to anyone who offers you home loan relief. With extremely
limited exceptions, cash payments, and cash that has been wired, cannot be recovered. And
cash payments usually provide prosecutors with little or nothing in the way of proof of payment.
ï‚· Never transfer or sign your home over to any third party or anyone else who claims that such a
transfer can or will help you repair your credit or keep you in your home. And do not make your
home loan payments to anyone except your lender.
ï‚· Look into free personalized advice from housing agencies certified by the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development that is available by calling 1-888-995-HOPE. Free guidance
is available online at www.hopenow.com.
Victims of a scam should contact the California Department of Real Estate by calling the department's
Spanish language call center at 213-576-6878, or its Mortgage Lending Activities unit at 916-227-0770.
For a copy of the alert and more information about DRE and its programs visit www.dre.ca.gov.
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