Don’t Get Scammed When Considering Loan Modification.
Saturday, March 14th, 2009There are currently a lot of scammers in the loan modification market. Because of the foreclosure boom, scammers are attracted to this industry, so be aware that not everyone that says they can help you out, will be able to help you out.
So… how can you tell if your loan modification is legit? You have to know if you are being scammed. In this article, we will look at a few tips to detect a scam.
When your loan modification person demands an upfront payment of a couple of thousand dollars, there’s a good chance you’re getting scammed. When someone tries to charge you this, don’t walk away but run away! The loan modification fees usually get rolled up in the loan amount. In other words, the banks pays your loan modification. The purpose of doing a loan modification is imporving your financial position, not put you deeper in the hole.
When you start on the path of loan modification, it’s always a good idea to approach your current lender. When you do this in time, before debt is piling up, your current lender is glad to help you out. Your current lender knows your history and knows about your situation , so they may be best suited to help you.
Always go up the chain of command when calling your lender. When you call, you will most likely encounter a helpful customer service person. Unfortunately, these people can’t help you. You’ll have to insist that you get to speak to someone who can negotiate for you in these situations.
If you feel you’re out of possibilities, you can always file bankruptcy, also knows as Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This forces your lender to consider loan modification when you ask for it. They may not be happy about it, but it does allow for you to come up with a payment plan. Filing chapter 13 will also ensure you won’t get scammed, because all procedures will go through court. It is however a last resort measure.
