Scam Artists At Work On A Homeowner Near You.
This is from Diana Olick…one of my favorite CNBC reporters:
Last week, while touting the success of one part of the Making Homes Affordable plan, President Obama issued a warning:
As people have become aware that the government is helping to promote refinancing, we’re starting to see some scam artists out there who are contacting people saying, you can refinance your home, the government has got a program, we’re ready to help — oh, but by the way, first you’ve got to pay some money. I just want everybody who is watching today to know that if somebody is asking you for money up front before they help you with your refinancing, it’s probably a scam.
I’ve been talking a lot to someone on the forefront of the loan mod scam epidemic, interestingly, a former subprime lender himself. Steve Dibert started a website, where he seeks to educate troubled borrowers on the ever-increasing number of scams targeting them.
To be totally fair, he does operate a “forensic mortgage auditing firm,” ie fraud investigations, and for that he charges a fee.
Anyway, he keeps me posted on the latest greatest scams, and I thought I’d share one.
Steve writes:
I have had four people already approach me about the mysterious “Form 009-S Payment Reduction Notification” from the “Program Director.” In my opinion, whoever did this is an evil genius. Everyone has heard of the stimulus package and President Obama’s commitment to help homeowners. So this document seems like it could be legitimate. People are desperate, and that desperation causes them to want to believe anything.
To be fair, in the fine print at the bottom of the form, it does say: “This product or service has not been approved or endorsed by any government agency and this offer is not being made by an agency of government…Rates and terms are subject to change.”
I actually find that part the worst, as this is so clearly designed to confuse borrowers seeking real government assistance.
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I JUST RECIEVED ONE OF THESE 009-S FORMS TODAY. I FOUND IT SUSPICIOUS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SENDER INFORMATION ON IT ANYWHERE SO I DECIDED TO GOOGLE IT. THANK GOD I DID!
Hi Paula,
Please let others know about this site so they too can be on alert!
Tim
I am in Iowa & received one of these letters today. The first thing I did was Google it…I am with you Paula…thank god I did!
I am in Maine,I received one of those 009-S forms ,this week and realized it was phony. My friend was going to one of our State Senator’”s office He brought it w/him. Hopefully they will issue a warning to others in this State, so no one will fall for it.
I recieved the 009-S3 bogus notice today. I’m in Illinois. They have now dropped the disclaimer at the bottom, only stating that the offer is only for the above listed recipient, and is nontransferrable. Nowhere does it state that it is not government associated or approved. I won’t even line the birdcage with it, because they, not I, are actually property owners.
Thanks again,
L. Lines
I’ve seen that bogus form before. I get some kind of “payment reduction notification” every day- straight to the trash.
Dave Keys
I also received one of these, and it looks legitimate at first. I googled the phone number listed (1-877-684-7762) and came up with nothing. So I tried calling and it is just silence once dialed, no ring, no busy tone, nothing. What a waste of paper!
I just got one of these today, I don’t see any disclaimer at the bottom. If you would like a copy, send me an e-mail. Looks very real and deceiving.
I just received the 009-S form and for a second was excited, but decided to check this out on the web, thank God I did. These people need to be put in jail!
Looks like there’s another one going around. It’s Form 009-E Debt Modification Program. Looks almost identical to the 009-S Form. Glad I Googled it, too. What a shame!!!
I just received one of these in today’s mail. I live in Maine. Sounded good, but looked suspicious. Glad I googled the form number 009-S3 and found this website. Thanks for letting us know.
Ah yes, someone called me and told me they were 009-53 Certified Agents with a certificate from some bogus university that uses SEO to keep real info about the scam away from curious eyes.
“Berny”
I really wish you would simply email me directly with any issues you have…I know you are on the net right now stirring it up.
Please just email me. If you aren’t happy with anything from HREU…let me know..and we will make it right.
here is my email: CoachTimHarris@Gmail.com
I check it personally…just email me…lets talk. OK?
Tim