Ohio State nav bar

Skip to main content

The Ohio State University

  • Help
  • BuckeyeLink
  • Map
  • Find People
  • Webmail
  • Search Ohio State
  • Home
  • Food
  • Family and Relationships
  • Money
  • Mind and Body
  • Webinars
  • Authors

Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Topics:

The Ohio State University
You are here: Home / Money / How Can I Spot and Avoid Foreclosure Scams?

December 1, 2015

How Can I Spot and Avoid Foreclosure Scams?

Scam road-sign-464653_640(1)

If you have trouble making payments on your home, be careful so you do not become the victim of a home foreclosure scam. Scammers may target you through publications, on-line advertising, flyers, or by phone.

HOW TO SPOT FORECLOSURE SCAMS
Here are some warning signs that may help you prevent foreclosure scams:
• A request for a fee in advance to work with your home mortgage lender on your behalf.
• The person guarantees they can stop the foreclosure or modify the loan.
• Someone advises you to stop making loan payments and give the money to them. Never do this. If you have contacted your lender and they won’t accept partial payments, open a separate bank account and regularly deposit that money in a separate account to use later for housing needs. This money will build up over time and come in handy later in the process.
• You are pressured to sign your home over to the person or company contacting you or sign without reading a document in full. Legal documents should always read before signing. If you don’t understand what is being said consult an attorney. Never sign documents without reading them.
• Claims that the person/organization is government-approved or official to do loan modifications. Someone calls or emails asking for your personal financial information. Do not use the phone number they provide, instead use the number you have for your bank, or check with Save The Dream Ohio.

HOW TO AVOID FORECLOSURE SCAMS
Do not fall for these housing scams. Use only non-profit HUD-approved counselors or call 1-800-569-4287. Remember that new scams are created all of the time making it impossible to tell every possible scam. So remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you are scammed tell someone. Check with Save The Dream Ohio at (888) 404-4674 for free assistance or contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-282-0515.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

WRITTEN BY: Pat Holmes, CFCS, M.S.

REVIEWED BY: Carlie Boos, Ohio Housing Finance Agency

SOURCES:

  • Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/fivetips_foreclosure.htm
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
  • Federal Trade Commission http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0100-mortgage-relief-scams
  • Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/Foreclosure/Foreclosure-Rescue-Scams
  • Ohio Housing Finance Agency https://ohiohome.org/
  • Save the Dream http://www.savethedream.ohio.gov/
  • USA.gov https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/avoiding_foreclosure
  • http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/
  • http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/i_want_to/talk_to_a_housing_counselor

Categories: Money
Tags: Foreclosure, home foreclosure, home mortgage, Housing, prevent scams, scams

Avatar for Pat Holmes
Avatar for Pat Holmes

About Pat Holmes

Pat Holmes is Certified in Family & Consumer Sciences and employed with Ohio State University Extension as a Family & Consumer Sciences educator Her specialization is in Family Wellness with programs such as food safety, nutrition/health, money basics, Helping Children in Times of Stress, Successful Co-Parenting, Mindful Wellness, coping with stress, Universal Design for the home, and other topics related to individuals and families.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

The Ohio Saves Week webinar series presented in Spring 2024

An Iceberg in blue water, mostly underwater

Insurance for Hidden Financial Obstacles.

Sunset in Georgia Mountains

Save Money by Lowering Vacation Costs

Fruits and Veggies

National Nutrition Month

Follow Us!

  • Facebook

Footer

Need Assistance?

If you are having issues logging into the site, need assistance with updates, or need to request an alternate format please send an email to the EHE Service Desk at servicedesk@ehe.osu.edu stating the nature of your issue and we will assist you. Thank you.
Are you a Live Smart Ohio Author? Log in here!

Categories

  • Food
  • Family and Relationships
  • Money
  • Mind and Body
  • Webinars

Follow us!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
The Ohio State University
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN ECOLOGY
COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

© 2025 Live Smart Ohio - Family and Consumer Sciences | The Ohio State University - College of Education and Human Ecology | Accessibility | Privacy Policy

%d