Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues. This blog will consist of information describing the various forms of Home Equity Theft and links to news reports & other informational sources from throughout the country about the victims of Home Equity Theft and what government authorities and others are doing about it.
Sunday, September 06, 2015
Indiana AG Begins Distribution Of $67.2K In Restitution Payments To 29 Hoosier-Homeowners Victimized By Scammers Running Loan Modification Ripoffs
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, The Journal Gazette reports:
Foreclosure fraud victims have started receiving payments from Indiana's Consumer Protection Assistance Fund, the Indiana attorney general's office said today.
The 29 victims will each receive more than $67,200 in total payments, with each one receiving an equal amount of their loss up to $3,000, it said. Administration will be by the attorney general's office.
The victims are from Allen, Adams, Hamilton, Marion, Fountain, St. Joseph, Henry, Grant, Lake and Dearborn counties.
The victims were targeted by foreclosure-rescue fraud, in which scammers charge customers who are already late on their mortgage payments, or are in foreclosure, a large upfront fee in exchange for help in reducing monthly mortgage payments. The victims pay the fee, but don't get the services or a refund.
The money used in the fund comes from companies sued by the attorney general alleging they violated consumer protection laws.
Homeowners who are facing foreclosure should contact the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network at 1-877-GET-HOPE for free foreclosure prevention counseling, the statement said. Homeowners may qualify for help from Indiana's Hardest Hit Fund. This state program offers foreclosure assistance at no charge.
If you think you may be victim of foreclosure-relief fraud, file a complaint with the attorney general’s office at www.IndianaConsumer.com or by calling 800-382-5516.
CBC News: Betrayal of Trust (A CBC investigation reveals how lawyers across Canada have misappropriated and mishandled clients money, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, or sometimes even charging vulnerable people top dollar for shoddy services)
Land Contract/Contract For Deed/Rent-To-Own Rackets
The New York Times: The Housing Trap (In the wake of the housing crisis, low-income families have turned to seller financing to buy homes but these deals can be a money trap)
Beware The Fine Print: Consumers Forced To Sign Away Their Rights To Use Court System
The NY Times: Arbitration Everywhere, Stacking the Deck of Justice(Part 1 in series examining how clauses buried in tens of millions of contracts have deprived Americans of one of their most fundamental constitutional rights: their day in court)
Foreclosure Mills' Abysmal Record In Complying With New NYS Foreclosure Requirements
Justice Deceived: How Large Foreclosure Firms Subvert State Regulations Protecting Homeowners
MFY Legal Services Report On Questionable Practices By Process Servers In Debt Collection Cases
Justice Disserved: A Preliminary Analysis of the Exceptionally
Low Appearance Rate by Defendants in Lawsuits Filed in the Civil Court of the City of New York
Mortgage Mess Redux: Robo-Signers Return (A Reuters investigation finds that many banks are still employing the controversial foreclosure practices that sparked a major outcry last year)
CNN Video: As Foreclosures Mount, Florida Court Turns To 'Rocket Docket'
The Wall Street Journal: A Florida Court's 'Rocket Docket' Blasts Through Foreclosure Cases (2 Questions, 15 Seconds, 45 Days to Get Out; 'What's to Talk About?' Says a Judge)
"Produce The Note" Strategy When Dealing With Missing Promissory Notes In Foreclosure Actions
ABC Video: Fighting Against Foreclosure (Some homeowners have found a new tactic to keep the banks at bay)
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