Washington State AG Takes Page Out Of Scammer Playbook To Identify, Warn Potential Foreclosure Scam Targets

In Seattle, Washington, KOMO-TV Channel 4 reports:

• Pending foreclosure listings are a matter of public record. Anyone can get the information through your county property tax division. That's how scammers find vulnerable homeowners desperate for help.

• Now, the [Washington] State Attorney General is taking a cue from the scammers, using public records to reach homeowners before they become targets. Starting this month, homeowners facing foreclosure will get a letter warning about foreclosure rescue scams. The letters will highlight warning signs and share horror stories from people who've lost their homes through a foreclosure rescue scheme.

• Some 14,000 letters went out this week to homeowners who missed mortgage payments. Many county treasurers will start including scam warnings when they mail certified foreclosure notices to people who haven't paid property taxes.

For more, see State officials take cue from scammers to help protect those facing foreclosure (read story) (watch KOMO-TV video).

Go here for the Washington State AG's foreclosure rescue warning letter.