Don’t pay for help with foreclosure

In these hard times some companies may promise to save your home from foreclosure or reduce your monthly mortgage payments – if you pay them money up front.  Don’t do it.  It is illegal for them to charge you for these services, according to State Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
    These aggressive companies get information from court records and then send letters that look official. Some letters may even look like they come from your mortgage bank. Sometimes the companies hire local people or church members to solicit customers.
    CWF financial counselor, Marcelo Ferrer, notes that at LSNA’s Center for Working Families “we are beginning to notice that many people turn to these types of unscrupulous companies for help.” Unfortunately, most who turn to companies that promise a “quick fix” learn a tough lesson. “They didn’t help us and refused to return our money back,” said one recent CWF client, who is now working with a free HUD-certified counselor from LUCHA.
    If you need help call the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) at 773 329-4185; let them know if you need Spanish language assistance. NHS will register you at a NHS office where you will meet and set up an appointment with a certified counselor. Or call LUCHA, located at 3541 W. North Ave. LUCHA also has Spanish language counseling.  To make an appointment call 773-276-5338.
    To find out more about these organizations or about our financial counseling services call Marcelo Ferrer at 773-384-4370.