With record numbers of individuals seeking home loans these days, its no surprise that scam artists have developed new ways to separate borrowers from their money. Mortgage scams are on the rise and typically target people who are overextended, have bad credit, or are in need of financial relief. These scams can cost a lot in fact, they can result in the loss of your home. Guard yourself against con artists with a little background on common mortgage scams:
Slight-of-Hand Signings
There are documented cases of homeowners who unwittingly signed away the title to their homes because they were confused by paperwork. With any decision involving your finances, get everything in writing and insist on reading the documents carefully before signing. Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers. Be sure you never sign paperwork with blank spaces or allow someone to rush you through the process.
High-Priced Home-Buying Seminars
Youve seen ads in the newspaper (and on bus benches) for those home-buying seminars or programs catering to people with less-than-perfect credit. If youre considering such services, check out their fee structure first, and...