Foreclosure Article
Horne Issues National Mortgage Settlement Consumer Alert to Arizonans
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PHOENIX (Tuesday, April 24, 2012) -- As the National Mortgage Settlement between Arizona and 48 other states, the federal government, and the country’s five largest residential mortgage loan servicers goes into effect, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne is alerting Arizona consumers looking for mortgage relief to beware of scam artists.
“Consumers should be aware that scammers are already using the media coverage of the settlement to exploit homeowners by promising quicker assistance in obtaining the refinancing, principal reduction, or cash payments available to eligible consumers under the settlement,” Horne said. “If you receive an unsolicited contact regarding the mortgage settlement, you need to protect yourself.”
Attorney General Horne’s alert includes these tips:
- Beware of anyone who claims they can speed up the assistance you might be eligible for under the settlement for a fee. You will not be charged a fee to obtain relief under the settlement.
- Beware of anyone who calls claiming to be from your mortgage servicer or the government and asks to confirm personal or financial information to speed up your relief under the settlement. Neither your bank nor the government will ever ask for your routing number, checking account number, or other financial information over the phone.
- You may receive legitimate mail from your servicer regarding the settlement if your mortgage loan is serviced by Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, or GMAC/Ally. If you do receive a call or mail regarding the settlement, examine it closely to determine whether it is from the same entity you make your mortgage payments to. Scammers often use company names very close to another company to confuse and deceive consumers. (For example, instead of a letter from GMAC, you may receive a letter from GAMC).
- If you are unsure whether a caller is legitimate, ask for the person's name and title and tell them you are going to call your bank and confirm. Make sure to use the official contact information listed below, not a number the caller provides.
- Bank of America: 877-488-7814
- JP Morgan Chase: 866-372-6901
- Wells Fargo: 800-288-3212
- CitiBank: 866-272-4749
- GMAC/Ally: 800-766-4622
- If you are looking to refinance or get a loan modification, remember that it is against state and federal law to charge upfront fees for mortgage-related assistance in most cases.
Consumers who feel they have been a victim of mortgage fraud, or who would like to report consumer fraud, may file a consumer complaint with our Office. To file a complaint online, consumers can visit:www.azag.gov/consumer/complaintform.html.
For more information about the national mortgage settlement, visit www.azag.gov/consumer/foreclosure/settlement.html or contact the Attorney General’s Mortgage Settlement Team at 602-542-1797 or 1 (855) 256-2834 toll free or [email protected].
To find out if you are eligible for relief under the national mortgage settlement, contact your mortgage servicer at the number listed above, or a HUD-certified housing counselor.
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Comments:
QUESTIONS
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I have attempted to sell the property in AZ for a year and 6 months. Since 1/2 of this time was applied to a short sale I had 3 Realtors. I had a first mortgage and a second home equity. The second refuse to cooperate the last realtor pulled out my foreclosure is set for Nov. can the equity loan come after me for the money? Am I protected by the Anti deficiency Laws?
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If I am renting a house and it went into foreclosure without our knowledge and has been auctioned off, what rights do I have to stay in the house?
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Is a condo covered in the anti-deficiency statue of Arizona? My condo is one of a 4 unit building. Is that a single family dwelling? I am the only person who lives in it. Can someone please help?
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The bank is foreclosing on a home that I am on the loan, however in our divorce decree there is a deed stating that I am not to get any profits and or be held responsible for the debts of the home, if he files bankruptcy will I have to do the same to keep the bank from coming after me?
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I bought a timeshare in Nevada, but due to my husbands remission of cancer and my multiple sclerosis, we can no longer make the payments. If they foreclose on the timeshare can they garnish my wages in Arizona
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Are the lenders able to work with you even if your only 1 month behind. they sent us a letter giving us a certain date to catch up and what would happen if this didn't occur.
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There is a scam going on with my house and reference for foreclosure need legal assistance ASAP I am disabled and need help my phone number is I need immediate help. Thank you
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Can a bank foreclose on a house if multiple people are on the deed, but only one person is on the mortgage
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If both parties names are on the house if one party stops paying am I responsible for all of it.
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while working on a modification, my home of 17 yrs was sold at auction. Pls help me understand what my rights are. Note taped to my DOOR saying who the "new" owner is and I have to be "out in 3 days" please give me a direction, my son is disabled and lives w/me (25) I truly have no where to go and am in such an emotional wreck I cannot stand it. How can this be legal? How can a home be "sold" while they are "working on modification"? Pls assist me in whatever way you can. thank you.
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