Taking matters into your own hands
I have written on numerous occasions about the most despicable people on the planet, in my opinion, those scammer who prey on the desperation of homeowners who are about to lose their homes to foreclosure. These “loan modification” or “foreclosure rescue” specialists or consultants took upfront money and made grandiose promises of keeping the homes from foreclosing, yet in most cases, did nothing to stop the process.
Many claimed to be attorneys or affiliated with attorneys, as if such affiliations meant they were more legitimate than those who had no such affiliation. These scams had become so rampant that the California Department of Real Estate maintains a list of practitioners who are suspected of engaging in fraudulent manners and who have received desist and refrain orders.
On the national level, Congress has allocated funds to help fight these types of fraud. And California enacted similar laws to fight these heinous crimes against the vulnerable homeowners whose backs are against the wall.
But the crafty scammers manage to continually dupe homeowners into giving them money, without providing any services in return.
Well finally, someone refused to take it from these scammers and took the matter into their own hands. Feeling nothing was being done on their behalf and being denied a refund, the couple kidnapped the scammers and tortured them.
Now I am not advocating violence against anyone, but you can certainly empathize with the frustration and the betrayal these people must have felt before resorting to such extreme measures.
What can we learn from this tragic situation? Never ever give anyone money upfront to help you save your house. Any legitimate organization or person cannot take money first, but can only be paid if successful service was provided first (at least here in California) .
Loan Modification Scams
One thing I hate more than anything is a con artist trying to prey on people who are vulnerable. And one of the biggest con games out there is the “loan modification specialist” scam. It is especially bad here in California. Warning homeowners of these scams has been sort of a personal crusade for me and I have been writing about it for a little while.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/873859/beware-of-loan-modification-scams-
http://www.trulia.com/blog/stevemun/2009/06/beware_of_foreclosure_pr
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1166125/law-enforcement-finds-loan-modification-boiler-room-
I wanted readers of this blog to also be also aware of these scams and who may be perpetrating them.
Here is the list of people whom the California Department of Real Estate has served Desist and Refrain orders/and or accusations resulting from a loan modification and/or foreclosure rescue transaction. Please read the preamble on the web page for an explanation.
I am just re-posting this list (which is public record) and make no comments or judgments about these individuals or their activities.
Please, if someone says they can get your loan modified to stop the foreclosure process BUT WANTS MONEY UP FRONT, PLEASE DO NOT PAY! The upfront money request is a sure sign this is a scam. The California Department of Real Estate has mandated that “loan modification specialists” registered with them and who may engage in the business CANNOT TAKE MONEY UP FRONT, BEFORE PROVIDING THE SERVICE.
