Published: July 27, 2010
Here are some legitimate resources to help you fight the foreclosure crisis.
You've been warned about foreclosure scams. But sometimes it's really hard to tell if something is a scam or not. Some less-than-reliable outfits have even taken to including "hud" or "gov" in their URLs to fool you into thinking they are legitimate foreclosure counselors. It pays to be wary. Below are some websites from government and non-profit agencies that can help you with foreclosure. Some are seeking volunteers and donations to help stop the foreclosure crisis. HOPENOW.COM
Research your options with this web form (http://www.hopenow.com/homeowner-options.php)
Find your mortgage lender (http://www.hopenow.com/mortgage-directory.php)
Find a foreclosure counselor in your area (http://www.hopenow.com/hopenow-counseling.php)
Focused on helping homeowners in crisis, this alliance helps you determine your options
FTC.GOV
Find a foreclosure counselor (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre26.shtm)
Raise your own credit score (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre03.shtm)
Fix mistakes on your credit report (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre13.shtm)
The Federal Trade Commission has expert advice
FINDAFORECLOSURECOUNSELOR.ORG
Find a legitimate foreclosure counselor near you (http://www.findaforeclosurecounselor.org/network/nfmc%5Flookup/)
This non-profit organization was created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts
MAKINGHOMEAFFORDABLE.GOV
Making Home Affordable (http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/)
Making Home Affordable: short sale documents (https://www.hmpadmin.com/portal/programs/foreclosure_alternatives.html)
Making Home Affordable: deed in lieu documents (https://www.hmpadmin.com/portal/programs/foreclosure_alternatives.html)
The official government site for loan modifications and foreclosure alternatives
PORTAL.HUD.GOV
Find resources to avoid foreclosure in your state (http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/topics/avoiding_foreclosure/local)
Consult state and local resources
MYFICO.COM
Improve You Credit Score
(http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducation/ImproveYourScore.aspx) Credit Q&A (http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/)
Credit Basics (http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/articles/)
Understand credit and your credit scores
ANNUALCREDITREPORT.COM
See your credit report (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp)
Get all the details on late payments and other information, but not your actual credit score
RESPONSIBLELENDING.ORG
The Center for Responsible Lending (http://www.responsiblelending.org/)
A non-profit organization that works to stop predatory lending practices
CREDITEDUCATION.ORG
Volunteer to be a credit counselor (http://www.crediteducation.org/Become-a-Volunteer.aspx)
Non-profit agency that works to provide financial literacy
LIVEUNITED.ORG
United Way (http://www.liveunited.org/income/)
Donate or volunteer to decrease the number of families that are financially unstable
NCRC.ORG
Donate to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (http://www.ncrc.org/index.php)
Send a donation to help NCRC "ensure that people in traditionally underserved communities are treated fairly and justly when applying for credit, opening a bank account, getting a mortgage, a loan, or other financial product or service."
IRS.GOV
The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act (http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=179414,00.html)
Get the details about when you might owe taxes on any debt that is canceled through a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure
OCC.GOV
Download a PDF on identifying a loan modification scam (http://www.occ.gov/ftp/advisory/2009-1.pdf)
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency provides detail about scams, including "10 Warning Signs of a Loan Modification Scam."
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