The financial problems started when I was injured at work. There was no money coming in.  I had to figure something out quick.

We received our letter of default around christmas-time.

There's nothing worse than having the fear that you're about to lose your home. The desperation that goes along with that is very intense for just anyone. We did go out to see if we could find some foreclosure prevention companies, but during the conversation and meeting with them, we found out that the first thing they wanted up front from us was money, before we even filled out the application. There's lots of companies that were offering their services and making a lot of promises to us that they could save our home. I really just didn't feel comfortable with them at all, and I just decided to take another path.

There are a lot of companies claiming that they can stop the foreclosure process, or help you modify your loan. You should be extremely cautious of people who make any guarantee, ask for money up front, or tell you to make your mortgage payments to them.

I called one of the loan modification specialists.  They said they could help. They needed a $500 deposit, and then $3000 after that.  They said they had attorneys working on their side. They would talk to the mortgage company.  They took my money and they didn't do anything for us at all.

We were desperate to save our house, and I guess that's why we believed in them.

It was just a scam.

All of a sudden on a saturday night, our front doorbell rings.  I open the door, and there's this lady on our front step, talking at the top of her voice, saying 'you're going into foreclosure. You're going to lose your home.' Well, I immediately asked her to leave.  I then called my servicer, and they didn't know anything about her.  Apparently it was a scam.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of scam artists out there. Some even look to be affiliated with the government. Their websites have official looking logos and graphics, and their names include words like 'federal'. HOPE NOW connects you with counselors that provide free foreclosure prevention assistance. When I met with the counselor that hope now connected me with, I was a little suspicious when I first went in there. I noticed that she didn't ask me for any money. I really felt that there was someone finally here that could really help me now. I do believe that HOPE NOW saved my house. If it wasn't for them, I don't know where I would be.  We probably wouldn't be sitting here today.

Our counselor was so professional, I was impressed.  She looked at our entire situation, and helped guide us through the whole process. Everything that she has done was free, no cost to us.

Time is of the essence when it comes to the risk of foreclosure. No one can guarantee  you can get a loan modification, or that they can stop the foreclosure process. But, if you are in trouble, the first thing to do is contact your mortgage company and get housing counseling. You can do this by contacting the homeowners' hope hotline at 888-995-hope.  The sooner you call, the sooner you can get peace of mind.

It's very scary knowing  you could lose your house.  You feel like you're all alone in the world.  It's hard to know who you can trust. But you can't let that fear lead you down the wrong path with people who might be out to scam you.  

There are real people offering real help, and they're at 888-995-hope.