WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 5, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today warned Floridians seeking foreclosure prevention assistance to be careful who they call for help. So-called copycat groups have set up toll-free telephone numbers that are nearly identical to the foreclosure assistance hotline established by the nonprofit Homeowners Preservation Foundation in alliance with the HOPE NOW coalition. Unlike the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline, the copycat groups charge for their services and may steer people to unscrupulous lenders.
“The foreclosure crisis has a number of families seeking assistance so they can avoid losing their home. Nonprofit groups are helping educate homeowners about their options free of charge. Unfortunately, copycat groups are ensnaring people seeking help and steering them to expensive and sometimes fraudulent services,” said Martinez. “I would encourage people seeking foreclosure counseling to make certain they’re contacting a HUD-approved member of the HOPE NOW Alliance and that counseling services will be provided free of charge.”
The phone number for the Homeowners HOPE Hotline is 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).
This week, Senator Martinez sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin asking that copycat phone numbers be reassigned because of the confusion and distress copycat groups cause those seeking assistance.
