Riverside, CA (Vocus) June 12, 2010
These days in Riverside, a partnership of local, state and national government agencies, nonprofit organizations and financial institutions gathered at the steps of City Hall to launch a public education campaign created to help homeowners safeguard themselves against loan modification scams, uncover trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities. This was amongst numerous kickoff events held in recent months in cities across the nation to announce the Loan Modification Scam Alert campaign, a national initiative developed to combat loan modification scams.

The national foreclosure rate has reached an all-time high, and millions more foreclosures are expected in coming years. As the foreclosure rate grows, much more and far more home owners are getting deceived by scam artists who prey on their fears, mentioned Eileen Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer of NeighborWorks America. This campaign is based on the belief that expertise is the best defense, which is why the campaign equips property owners with the tools they require to minimize their risk and cease scammers in their tracks.

The regional kickoff occasion featured representatives from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, the regional faith-based neighborhood, the Greater Business Bureau of the Southland, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Trade Commission and regional housing counseling agencies, including the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire, Neighborhood Partnership Housing Solutions and Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management. Also present had been nearby homeowners who shared their individual experiences with loan modification scams to inform other homeowners in their neighborhood about this activity.

NeighborWorks America will coordinate the nationwide work through its 235 community-primarily based affiliates and other neighborhood, state and national companion organizations, like the Department of Housing and Urban Improvement (HUD), the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Division of the Treasury, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Below Law.

Together, the partners aim to attain thousands of distressed property owners in hundreds of communities at higher threat for fraud activity. The campaign will target all audiences, but its sources are focused sharpest on these groups that have already observed high levels of scam activity, including seniors, Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans.

As element of the campaign, details, resources and reporting capabilities are now available around the clock at http://www.LoanScamAlert.org and by calling 1-888-995-HOPE (4673). Community groups might also go to the Internet internet site to access campaign components offered for download and distribution in their region.

By way of real-life scam stories, collateral materials, print marketing, regional radio PSAs, events, word of mouth and social media activity, the campaign will educate the public about the warning signs of a loan modification scam. Borrowers have to steer clear of any person or firm that asks for a charge in advance, guarantees a loan modification or tells you to spend them alternatively of paying the mortgage. Only a lender can assure a loan modification and they do not charge, said Richard Castro, communications manager for NeighborWorks America.

Homeowners are also urged to report scam activity at after to the correct authorities via the campaign Net internet site and hotline. We want to tension how essential it is for individuals to discover the signs of a scam and rapidly report any encounter that just doesnt ring accurate, said Castro. Scammers are out there attempting to take advantage of people in a challenging spot. The campaign is producing it less complicated for property owners in distress to fight back, and help us shut scam artists down.

About the Housing Possibilities Collaborative of the Inland Empire 
The Housing Possibilities Collaborative of the Inland Empire (HOCIE) is comprised of organizations functioning collectively sharing greatest practices and resources to deliver complete help to individuals and households in their quest for sustainable homeownership.