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
Find your mortgage lender
Find a foreclosure counselor in your area
Focused on helping homeowners in crisis, this alliance helps you determine your options

FTC.GOV
Find a foreclosure counselor
Raise your own credit score
Fix mistakes on your credit report
The Federal Trade Commission has expert advice

FINDAFORECLOSURECOUNSELOR.ORG
Find a legitimate foreclosure counselor near you
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
Making Home Affordable: short sale documents
Making Home Affordable: deed in lieu documents
The official government site for loan modifications and foreclosure alternatives

PORTAL.HUD.GOV
Find resources to avoid foreclosure in your state
Consult state and local resources

MYFICO.COM
Improve You Credit Score
Credit Q&A
Credit Basics
Understand credit and your credit scores

ANNUALCREDITREPORT.COM
See your credit report
Get all the details on late payments and other information, but not your actual credit score

RESPONSIBLELENDING.ORG
The Center for Responsible Lending
A non-profit organization that works to stop predatory lending practices

CREDITEDUCATION.ORG
Volunteer to be a credit counselor
Non-profit agency that works to provide financial literacy

LIVEUNITED.ORG
United Way
Donate or volunteer to decrease the number of families that are financially unstable

NCRC.ORG
Donate to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition
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
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
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency provides detail about scams, including “10 Warning Signs of a Loan Modification Scam.”

Don’t forget to check out our local events calendar for all the fun fall festivities! We’ll see you next week…and welcome to October!

The Staff at San Juan Realty, Inc.