California Woman Faces Accusations Of Pocketing Fees In Alleged Foreclosure Rescue Scam That Clipped As Many As 100 Victims

In Gonzales, California, KSBW-TV Channel 8 reports:

• A Central Coast woman is accused of targeting homeowners on the verge of losing their homes and swindling them out of thousands of dollars. Gonzales police said Melissa Garcia targeted homes in foreclosure and scammed troubled homeowners out of thousands of dollars. Victims said they paid more than $2,500 to get help saving their homes and Garcia never carried through with any of her promises.

• Fred Lombardi, a Gonzales police sergeant, said as many as 100 people throughout Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Benito counties may have been a victim of the scams. "They're upset," Lombardi said. "They get that final glimpse of hope, draw money together from family members and friends to get taken care of. In the end they find out the money's gone as well."

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• Garcia was arrested last week in Santa Cruz County on [unrelated] theft charges and was released on bail. Police are still trying to identify a business associate accused of taking part in the scam.

For more, see Woman Accused Of Scamming Troubled Homeowners (Victims Paid More Than $2,800 Trying To Save Foreclosed Homes).

See also, Woman suspected of running home loan scam.