Congressman Thompson Warns Homeowners

Foreclosure assistance scams abound, HUD offers help

Humboldt Sentinel
3/18/09
By Sentinel Staff

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) is urging constituents to contact a free local government-approved housing counseling agency instead of companies that charge money for foreclosure assistance.

“As more families struggle to pay their mortgages, predators are trying to take advantage of people who don’t know where to turn for help,” said Congressman Thompson. “There are resources out there to help people stay in their homes, and I urge folks who are struggling to contact government-backed organizations for assistance.”

Families facing foreclosure can get free assistance from agencies that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Treasury. A list of these organizations can be found at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&sear chstate=CA or by calling toll free (800) 569-4287 on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) or call 1-800-CALL-FHA.

Thompson also warned people that some scammers are using names and Websites that use variations of HUD’s name to mislead people, and urged constituents to call his district office if they are suspicious about an offer that seems too good to be true. He reminded homeowners that the only official HUD website is at http://www.hud.gov/ and sites that end in hud.us-gov or hud.com or hudgov.us or any of a number of other addresses are not official HUD Websites.