Money (Mostly Contests) for Inventors, and Maybe Pro Bono Legal Assistance, Too.

A patron walked in and wanted to know where the money was for grants for an invention.  Good question.  Besides the ripoff sites that will tell you about some maybe-grants for a small fee, where did you look?

The most obvious are SBIR and STTR programs available from the feds, specifically, the Department of Commerce.  They exist to push ideas from the drawing board to the marketplace.  However, they follow my ironclad rule of No Free Money: there is only money available for stuff that the funder would like to see done.  The feds are quite specific about what sorts of inventions and innovations they would like to see brought to market.  If your invention fits that desire, you may benefit.  But what if they don't?

I recently discovered a link from the Lemels MIT program that encourages inventions from young people, and lists contests and grants.  It was exciting, but then I realized that it was 99% contests and very little in the way of outright grants, many of them not for inventors, but particularly student inventors.  If you are a student inventor, you should check it out.  However, there is one that California inventors in the field of energy alternatives should check out--the small grant (up to $95,000) available in the energy field.  The research must address a California energy problem, and either the grant recipient or a subcontractor involved must be a California Based Entity.  See this solicitation for the definition. 

If you wish, check out the USA.gov page, but it won't contain anything new.  However, if you follow their links, you will find some information about pro bono help for inventors trying to get a patent.   It consists of state links, in which patent assistance is (sometimes) available, in the form of patent deposit libraries, but sometimes in the case of law schools who have students perform pro bono patent work

The scam protection page is worthwhile, because inventors seem to attract scammers like bees around a flower.  It names some firms that have been sued for trying to scam inventors, and tells you what to look out for before contacting these firms.

Watch Out for Fake Obamacare--Scams to Look Out For

You may have seen them on TV--official-sounding ads that have patriotic music, and pictures of the U.S. capitol, etc.--saying that the health reform act is the law, and so on.  That's true, and on October 1st, 2013 through March 31st, 2014, people will have their first crack at signing up for health care insurance on the state or federal exchanges.  But already, the fraudsters are coming out to feast.  So watch out. 

What should you look for?  For one thing, make sure that what's being offered is actually a comprehensive health insurance program.  Some programs that are medical discount plans--offering discounts on medical treatment or procedures--are NOT health insurance programs, and are not eligible for subsidies that can make real health insurance plans more affordable.  If you want to know what's available at the medical exchanges in your state, you have to wait for October 1, which is the first day you can sign up for coverage under the exchanges.  And where can you look?  Use this link to find the health exchange for your state.  For people in states that have opted out of forming their own exchange, the federal exchange will be used.

Also, watch out for people contacting you and demanding information.  Some frauds are using "Obamacare" as a way to fish around for personal information that they are using to commit identity theft.   If someone contacts you and demands things like your Social Security number, just hang up.  Like nearly ALL federal programs, you need to contact the government.  They don't call you.  And you can't even rely on caller ID, since some frauds have found out how to fake that.  If someone has called you, and you are afraid you may have given someone information that threatens you with ID theft, call the Federal Trade Commission's hotline for identity theft at 1‑877‑438‑4338. 

And finding out about the federal program should NOT cost you any money.  If someone offers to help you for a fee, hang up.  There's free information 24/7 at the federal healthcare number: 1-800-318-2596.  For TTY, it's 1-855-889-4325.  Eventually, there will be state navigators to help people around (as of September, 2013, they are still being trained).  But the toll-free numbers are a good source of information.  Here's another page with tips on avoiding fraud.

Spotting Mortgage Modification Scams and Scammers

When you watch late night TV and see ads for deeply concerned-sounding loan modification experts, how can you tell who's the real deal, and who's been caught--or is in the process of being caught --shafting their clients?  A group called the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and their partners are trying to make it easier for you.  Their website, Prevent Loan Scams, gives you lots of tools to help.

One page can let you know if you have already been a loan modification scam victim--it's easy--by answering two simple questions.  For a full list of loan modification scammer tactics, see this.  Another feature is a list of companies that have been found guilty--or have action against them--across the country.  There's a list of resources state-by-state, including recent scam news, local sources of legal and law enforcement help, state laws and regulations, and more. 

And, as always, remember that NOBODY can promise you a loan modification.  If they do, don't believe them.  You always have a FREE source of help in the HUD-approved foreclosure counseling.  Call 1-888-995-HOPE to find your nearest counselor. 

Scam-Spotting 101. How to Spot a Scam.

Sometimes, as I say, stuff just falls in my lap, or in my mailbox.  One such example of smarmy, pseudo-free baloney did indeed get left on my front porch last week.  It was a handbill that built a carefully constructed castle of baloney.  Follow along with me here:

First, the handbill says, in big letters, “NEIGHBORHOOD RENOVATION PLAN” and underneath “NORTHWEST OHIO HOMEOWNERS ONLY.”  Doesn’t that sound exclusive?  Like you’re lucky enough to qualify?  But for what? And how exclusive is "northwest Ohio."  I mean, there's no boundary, and for government programs that are area-specific, there are boundaries--they have to be in certain zip codes, or census tracts, or counties.  But this doesn't specify.  Let’s keep reading: “YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR HOME REPAIRS-REVITALIZATION & FUNDING.”  What does that mean?  Everybody is “eligible” for home repairs—who wouldn’t be, as long as they pay for it?  And it’s  “may” be, not “are.”  And funding?  By who?  Notice that nobody is saying.  They are careful to cover their butts, however, by noting that they are not a government program (in much smaller print), and not part of the recent stimulus act. 

By throwing around words like “eligible,” “qualify,” “program,” “revitalization,” etc., they create the illusion that you may be able to get something for nothing, without actually getting in legal trouble by promising something.  In fact, when I looked up this particular business in the Better Business Bureau, they had been contacted by the BBB: “The BBB requested that the company modify their advertisement to minimize the possibility of misunderstanding by the reader and to provide a clear understanding of what the company is offering. The company failed to modify the advertising at our requests.”  No kidding. 

When you get handbills like this, a good place to start looking is in fact the BBB  website.  You can search by company name, phone number or website address and see if they have received any complaints, and what sort.  In Ohio, you can search by company name orkeywords on the attorney-general’s website to see if a complaint has been filed against the company.  If they say they know about “programs,” and imply “funding assistance,” ask what government office runs the program, then check your yellow pages or public library to see if such an office exists.  Better yet, call that office.  Don’t fall for obvious scams like this.

For places you might want to start investigating to find real home-fix up programs, try this.

Watch Out For the Scam About Obama Paying Utility Bills

A report is coming from several places about a new scam in which there is a "new federal program" to pay utility bills.  According to First Energy, the company which provides energy over several states, they have received several reports in which customers were contacted about a new federal program to pay utility bills.  The customers were asked for information like bank routing numbers and Social Security numbers that could result in identity theft and a cleaned-out bank account.

People, there is NO new program.  There are the LIHEAP programs that there have always been, and you can find your state's LEGITIMATE program here.  They all have winter programs, and some have summer utility programs, too for the elderly or those with health conditions who have low or moderate incomes.  Depending on where you live, those programs may or may not include a free fan or air conditioner for the elderly or people with chronic health problems.  But they don't call  you, and they don't ask for bank routing numbers.  If you are contacted by anybody like this, call your utility provider immediately.

Find the Truth About Working from Home Schemes in Northwest Ohio

On Monday, April 23, the Heatherdowns Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library will have a great program on the truth about work at home opportunities.  It sounds good, but how can you be sure you won't be scammed?  Learn the truth from great speakers, including a rep from the Ohio Attorney General's office, the Better Business Bureau and others.  It runs from 6:30 till 8 p.m. at 3265 Glanzman.  If you are thinking about work at home offers you see on the internet, check out this program.

If you can't make it, at least read this list of suggestions from the Ohio Attorney General's office.

Information on the Foreclosure Settlement. And Watch Out for Scams.

The settlement between forty nine states’ attorneys general, the federal government and five of the largest mortgage servers (Citi, Ally/GMAC, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America) in the United States has opened up an avenue of help and compensation for many people that are in danger of foreclosure, are underwater in home value, or even those who have already been foreclosed on and lost their homes since 2009 (Oklahoma’s Attorney General reached a separate settlement.  See their website for more information).  How can you tell if you are eligible for help?
 

A great webpage has been set up to give you a place to start looking for the answers.  National Mortgage Settlement has all the information you need-- contact numbers, eligibility information-- and ALL FOR FREE.  If anybody contacts you and offers “help” for a fee, slam the phone on them.  It’s a scam.  Click here to findout how to recognize signs of scammers trying to take advantage of people, and what to do about it.

There is a page especially for homeowners that gives the contact numbers for the mortgage servers involved, but the link to the state’s attorney general’s offices is dead.  Try this one instead. However,  anyone whose mortgage is held by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae is not eligible.  You can find out if your mortgage is held by either of them here and here.   Here’s another link to a page dealing with U.S. military members that are eligible relief.

Officials are in the process of appointing administrators, figuring out who is eligible, and will contact them.   The whole process should take place over the next three years.  If you feel you may be eligible or need more information, contact the attorney general’s office of your state or your mortgage holder, especially if you think that officials may have a hard time tracing you.

You can even get an independent review of your case.  Again, FOR FREE.  Nobody is charging for this.  But the deadline to apply for the independent review by July 31, 2012.  There’s a website with all the information that you need, but if you like to get your information from humans, there’s a toll-free number, too: 1-888-952-9105, from 8 a.m-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  And assistance is available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hmong and Russian. 

Even more information is available at this online pamphlet from the Center for Responsible Lending.

Still Working the Economic Stimulus for Scams

Some scams are, in the words of an old Barbra Streisand song, ageless and evergreen.  In the current online issue of Recovery.gov, a newsletter on the spending associated with the federal Recovery Act, there's a warning about a possible scam that invokes the Recovery Act.  There's a form that people have been getting, promising that if they fill it out, they can get a $500 "stimulus payment."

How many layers of wrong are in this?  Firstly, the money involved in the Recovery Act that goes specifically to individuals went out years ago.  Secondly, the IRS doesn't generally reach out and tell people they are entitled to money.  Thirdly, is there a specific federal agency named in this letter?  No.  It throws around terms like "American" and "stimulus money."  And while they don't ask for money, they DO ask for your Social Security number, which makes you a sitting duck for identity theft.  This makes the scam artists who merely charge you money for useless "free money" information look positively benign by comparison.  This sounds very similar to an identity theft scam that rolled through Ohio a few years ago.  In that one, "Ohio Advantage" pretended to be a social service agency that was giving away money, but collected information for identity theft. 

Remember to NEVER give sensitive information like Social Security or bank account numbers unless you have initiated the contact, and check with the Better Business Bureau's website, inputting the name, phone number or website of the business.  In Ohio, you have the added advantage of checking the Attorney General's website for businesses that have had complaints.  But also, use your common sense--if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

Is a Mortgage Audit Worth It? Probably Not.

The foreclosure crisis in our country is only about half over, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.  One estimate is that we are three to four years away from "normal."  That means we still have desperate people, and people willing to part people from their money. 

A new wrinkle has come in: the mortgage audit.  What is this?  It's a thorough investigation of the mortgage for legality.  Supposedly, if the auditor can find a defect in the mortage, you may get out of the mortgage.  This sounds great, but in fact if there is a defect,  you don't automatically get out of the mortgage, or get the money.  You have just won the right to sue, which is expensive and lengthy.  And which will probably not net you any money.  A bank has the financial resources to outwait and outwrangle you, and probably will.

The Federal Trade Commision put it bluntly in a warning on mortgage audits:

...there is no evidence that forensic loan audits will help you get a loan modification or any other foreclosure relief, even if they’re conducted by a licensed, legitimate and trained auditor, mortgage professional or lawyer.

some federal laws allow you to sue your lender based on errors in your loan documents. But even if you sue and win, your lender is not required to modify your loan simply to make your payments more affordable.
if you cancel your loan, you will have to return the borrowed money, which may result in you losing your home.

Or, according to the way the scam is reported to have run in a town in Wisconsin, you may be targeted for fraud even if you are not threatened with foreclosure.  People there got a financial audit notice, (which they could get for $99), and if they didn't find a defect, they could get their money back.  Since defects are often found, they weren't eligible for a refund, or course, but neither did they get rich off the defective loan.  Getting money from the mortgage holder over a defect would require the expensive and lengthy legal action discussed above.  So you are out $99. 

If you have reason to believe that something is seriously wrong with your mortgage, or you are in a foreclosure situation, run, don't walk, to a HUD-approved counseling agency in your area.  They have the savvy to help you out with legit help.

The All-Scam Edition: Foreclosures and Missing Money

Today's entry features a story on finding missing money scams, as reported by the Toledo Blade.  According to an official at the Ohio Department of Commerce:

"He says the emails claim to come from the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, which includes his department's Division of Unclaimed Funds. But Goodman says Ohioans with money they've lost track of would never be asked to pay a fee or provide bank account information, as scam victims may be instructed."

Well.  When I was young, hustlers were enterprising enough to actually charge you for finding your money, not lie entirely.  But where ever you live, or whichever state (or federal agency) owes you money, you need never pay a dime.  Here's a rundown of all the entirely free places you can go to find missing money owed you.

Also, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library is having a program on avoiding foreclosure scams on September 13th from 6:15 till 8:15 in the evening at Main Library, 325 N. Michigan.  No registration, just check out how to avoid being ripped off while trying to save your home.

Finally, look out for this rip-off.  It's something terribly new, and even my housing contacts don't know what to make of it.  But apparently in the state of Nevada, ground zero in the foreclosure crisis, something called a forensic mortgage audit is marketed to people in danger of foreclosure.   It's supposed to protect your property, but may only empty your pocket.  Proceed with caution, and contact a HUD-approved housing counselor if you are in foreclosure danger. 

Websites With Scams to Look Out For

The Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel came out with a lovely website devoted to scams of all kinds: not by company name, but by type. It has a list of scams, you click on the name, and it gives a brief description of the scam and how it works.
This got me to thinking about other sites that can warn you about rip-offs and scam artists. Besides unedited rants by anonymous people claiming to be ripped off by someone, where do you turn for solid, well-vetted information? Here’s some of my favorites:

Speak Out Ohio. An excellent website by the Ohio Attorney General, with new scam listings, plus a searchable database of consumer complaints, searable by names or keywords.
· Better Business Bureau. Their business checkup can be searched by name and phone number for charities and businesses. Sometimes the information is sketchy, or very guarded, but if you read between the lines, it tells you what you need to know. For instance, if you look at their information on “free grant” sites, and you see a lot of caveats—stay away!
· Snopes. This fine site does not list names, but types of scams, searchable by the word scams.
· FBI –E Scams. This site by the FBI tells about all sorts of e-mail scams by type.
· Tax scams. This is by the IRS, and tells about types of scams and dubious tax claims. Bonus goodness: Link to an IRS site devoted to "frivolous" tax claims i.e. income tax is voluntary, etc., with links to actual cases.
· Scholarship scams. A site by the federal Department of Education on what to look out for in sites promising scholarship money.
· Federal Trade Commission. A site covering all sorts of consumer and scam issues.

New "Financial Aid" Scams May be After More Than Your Money

The news today concerns the re-emergence in the Cleveland area of a scam that took place in 2008--the "Ohio Advantage Program." According to this, they do not directly ask for money, but instead want your Social Security number, bank account information, and determine your "eligibility" for a personal grant or other funding. Of course, nobody gets funding. However, the scammers DO get enough information to drain your bank account, and steal your identity.

Be careful of any organization that asks for bank account numbers and Social Security numbers in order to get benefits. Please check them out with the Better Business Bureau first.

Save the Dream--Avoid Foreclosure Scams

In the Toledo Blade on Sunday, June 27th, a letter appeared from Bill Farnsel of Neighborhood Housing Services. In it, he pleads for desperate homeowners in danger of foreclosure to think and choose carefully when “foreclosure rescue” firms come calling. He listed two things to look out for in particular: 1) they ask for money up front and 2) they guarantee results. Legitimate help can be had for free from HUD-approved agencies like NHS, (419-691-2900. Here's a nationwide list of HUD-approved counselors.) and NOBODY can guarantee results, period.
In a way, it reminds me how we all got into this. Back in the ‘90s, I met patrons who turned up their noses when I told them about nonprofit agencies that offered to get them into their first homes, because those agencies advocated the old-fashioned way to home ownership—only buy the house you can afford to pay for and keep up, no tricky mortgages, getting your own financial house in order first, etc. But they met subprime folks who told them that stuff was all for suckers, that there was a better, faster way to buy a lot of house for no money down. It looked a little tricky, but it would all work out. Until the layoff happened, or the adjustable mortgage adjusted. And then it didn’t work out.
Now we all know better. The guy in the nice suit, or the nice TV commercial, is once again telling you something too good to be true. If you are having foreclosure problems, or trouble paying your mortgage, go to legitimate sources of help. Neighborhood Housing Services is one, and more help is available at Save the Dream for Ohio homeowners, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, or nationwide at HUD, a site with a list of counselors around the U.S and other advice. Talk to them before you talk to people in television ads.

A Cautionary Tale of "Debt Settlement," via MSNBC

Here's a sad story of a guy who got caught up in a "debt settlement" company, and ended up in Chapter 13 bankruptcy anyway. Much of the money he gave them got siphoned off, without satisfying his creditors. The debt settlement company got theirs, but it didn't help him. Here's the money quote from Lisa Madigan, attorney general for the state of Illinois:

""Consumers should never get involved with debt settlement companies," she said. "Hundreds of Illinois residents have come to our office who have fallen prey to what is essentially an outright scam. You can do everything yourself. You can figure out how much you make a month and reach out to creditors."
She said 40 percent of the people who sign up with debt settlement firms end up like Kopycinski, filing for bankruptcy anyway, and two-thirds drop out before even a single debt is settled."

So, talk to your creditors. Or, get ahold of local organizations affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or call their toll-free number to find a member near you: 1-800-388-2227.

What About All Those Grants From the Stimulus?

Surprise! A lot of them are as fake as three dollar bills! Those ads you see in Google? The ones in Facebook? Fake, fake, and fake. Slate's Chadwick Matlin lays down the smack on these. Those apparently worthy and stalwart people, who got free cash on official-appearing checks with fuzzy signitures? Are apparently identical. Many of these "grants" require a "handling fee," and what they won't tell you is that if you don't cancel the "subscription" you sign up for (what, you didn't know that you subscribed to anything?), you could be on the hook for some big fees that will be run up on your credit card. To repeat: nobody is writing grants to people from the stimulus bill. And the government never requires a "handling fee" to do this for you.

If you are a working low-income person, your best bet for money you have coming to you is getting earned income tax credits through your tax returns. If you really want to save money, have those returns prepared by VITA volunteers (call 1-800-906-9887 to find the nearest one and set up an appointment). If you are in the metro Toledo, Ohio area, call 211 for the nearest location.

If you seek job training, find your nearest job center, because they have probably received job retraining money for their clients. Inquire about the training programs available there. But don't answer ads telling you you have a $12,000 check waiting for you that just requires a handling fee. Because you don't.

Free Money the Government Won't Tell You About

My sister told me that there were indeed all sorts of infomercials on TV last weekend, talking about "free money the government doesn't want you to know about."

Now, what part of that makes sense? The government gives away free money, but is hiding it from people? Why would they hide the fact that they are freely giving money? Besides, money and sex are the two things that never go underpublicized--if a rumor started that there was porn or money on the moon, rocket science would have advanced hundreds of years faster than it did, just so people could check it out. Who seriously thinks that if there were lots of money available, nobody would know about it except for infomercial guys in bad suits?

Here's the truth: the vast majority of grants are for nonprofit organizations, state and local governments.  These agencies then create programs to help groups of people.  Most of the programs they create are NOT money giveaways.  Many are loans or different types of aid aimed to create specific programs, like low-cost child care, low-interest loans or mortgages, etc.  Most of the aid given to individuals is in the form of social security, medicare, student grants and loans, etc.  For aid, the federal government as a direct source to individuals is mostly useless.  You need to know the local and state nonprofit and government agencies in charge of these programs, because these guys are getting the "free money" you see on infomercials.  For more information, see www.nofreemoney.com.  Also, see this list of money and low-cost items the GOVERNMENT DOES WANT YOU TO HAVE.

But don't take my word for it. The Federal Trade Commission and the BBB teamed up to create this warning about "free government money" scams.  The government does indeed give away free, legit information on grants, and you should never have to pay a penny to find government information. The main legit site for federal grants: http://www.grants.gov/. It's absolutely free, but most of the grants listed are for local governmental agencies or nonprofits.  However, here are some sites for legitimate government funding for individuals.
NEVER give financial information about yourself, like your bank account number, to people you don't know. And never trust that the caller is from a federal agency. Many make up fake agency names. Check it yourself in the blue pages of the phone book, or call your local library.

Another is to file a complaint if you are ripped off: the toll-free number to the Federal Trade Commission is 1-877-FTC-HELP.

And if it sounds too good to be true? It is.

Watch Out for CARS Scams

The new Cash for Clunkers program, in which owners of low-mileage cars can trade in those models for more efficient ones--and get money towards the new car (details here), has already attracted scam artists. According to MSNBC, people are told at various scam sites that they, the car buyers, have to register for the program. No, it's the car dealer, not the buyer, who has to register. You just have to show up at a registered dealer with your gas guzzler. See the details at the FAQ site.

Speak of the Devil, and He Shall Appear. And Start Phishing.

Right after my post re: stimulus scams, lookee what came into my spam filter:
_______________________________

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:36:32 -0000
From: "Internal Revenue Service"
Subject: Economic Stimulus Payment online form [Message ID: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity
we have determined that
you are eligible to receive a Stimulus Payment.
Please submit the Stimulus Payment Online Form
in order to process it.

A Stimulus Payment can be delayed for a
variety of reasons.  For example submitting
invalid records or applying after the deadline.

To submit your Stimulus Payment form, please
download the attached document.


Note: If filing or preparation fees
were deducted from your 2007 Refund or you
received a refund anticipation loan, you will
be receiving a check instead of a
direct deposit.

Regards,
Internal Revenue Service

_____________________________________________

Hmmm. Does vodaphone.net seem like www.irs.gov (the IRS website)? I'm thinking not. I don't dare actually open this attachment, even to see what's in it, but I bet they want some juicy details that would allow them a whole lot of access into my finances. And the IRS would NOT send you stuff like this through the email.

But I'm glad it came. My own little personal illustration of a scam/phish, delivered just for me.

The Thing's Not Even Signed, but...a Scam Already.

Watch out for a new "free money" scam that is spurred by the much awaited stimulus package in Washington. According to one news source, people are being mailed checks that are reputedly worth several thousand dollars. Oh, the catch is, you have to call an 800 number and give up some personal information. Ya think?

The Detroit Free Press reports that there is an ad on Facebook, in which it's claimed you just have to give up a few dollars for a grant kit, and get your own stimulus check. Unsurprisingly, law enforcement people say that this too is a ruse to get people to fork over personal information.

The truth is, while there may be some tax breaks out of the new stimulus plan, there won't be money falling out of the sky. If the information on "how to apply" is coming from a private source--not a .gov source like the IRS website--don't believe it, and DON'T FORK OVER PERSONAL INFORMATION. Or the money for a grant kit.

Watch Out for Forclosure Ripoffs.

The heartbreaking foreclosure crisis has brought out another brand of vultures: rip-off artists who claim to help people in danger of foreclosure. The New York Times has an article outlining these scams. Owners are told, often in a seminar, that if they pay up-front fees to the fraudulent companies, these companies will renegotiate their mortgages for them. Instead, the re-negotiated mortgage may still be one that does not fit the owner's needs. Or, even worse, the company may do nothing at all and simply pocket the homeowner's money, and the owner does not know until it's too late to do anything.

The rip-off companies often pretend to be non-profit, or use non-profit language. They will often lift text directly from NeighborWorks, the nonprofit organization that works to prevent foreclosure. Another ploy is to use official-looking logos to pretend that they have some tie to the government. The Federal Trade Commission has a good article that outlines shady practices to look out for. Beware if your "savior" wants/tries to do the following:

guarantees to stop the foreclosure process – no matter what your circumstances

instructs you not to contact your lender, lawyer, or credit or housing counselor

collects a fee before providing you with any services

accepts payment only by cashier’s check or wire transfer

encourages you to lease your home so you can buy it back over time

tells you to make your mortgage payments directly to it, rather than your lender

tells you to transfer your property deed or title to it

offers to buy your house for cash at a fixed price that is not set by the housing market at the time of sale

offers to fill out paperwork for you

pressures you to sign paperwork you haven’t had a chance to read thoroughly or that you don’t understand.

Watch out for all of these practices, and refuse to do business with a "foreclosure specialist" that does them. Work with a local nonprofit instead. If you have been a victim of such as a scam, contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or your state's attorney general office to file a complaint. And contact your lender IMMEDIATELY if you have problems with your mortgage.