Several Staten Island families fell victim to a foreclosure prevention company, JT Home Savers, which resulted in them losing their homes after being promised help (1). Homeowners were left evicted, locked out, and had their belongings taken after their properties were sold without their knowledge.
One homeowner, Dina Pantazis, shared the heartbreak of being forced out of her home as a locksmith changed the locks (1). Another homeowner, Joe Forte, found strangers taking his children’s clothing after his home was sold and locks were changed.
Text messages revealed requests for payments while homeowners waited for mortgage refinancing that never happened (1). JT Home Savers denied telling homeowners not to pay their mortgages, but attorney Scott Ugell called the situation a “garden-variety fraud.”
The Staten Island District Attorney’s Office is now investigating the matter after initially claiming there was no case (1). Foreclosure prevention scams prey on vulnerable homeowners facing financial hardship, promising false hope of saving homes through loan modifications.
Mortgage modification scams often involve upfront fees, false guarantees, and advising homeowners to stop paying their mortgages (2). Scammers pose as experts, delay action until it’s too late, and create a false sense of security, leaving victims with few legal options.
Victims of mortgage scams can lose more than just money, including stability, housing security, and personal belongings (2). To avoid scams, work with your mortgage servicer directly, seek help from HUD-approved housing counselors, and consult a real estate attorney before signing any documents or paying fees.
Recognizing warning signs and seeking legitimate support early can prevent irreversible loss, as experienced by the Staten Island families affected by the foreclosure prevention scam (2). Protect yourself by staying informed and working with trusted professionals in financial matters.
Read more at Yahoo Finance: Staten Island mom had ’20 minutes’ to get out after losing home in foreclosure prevention scam. The red flags she missed