Mortgages/Foreclosures/Debt Collection

When you are struggling with your mortgage, or in debt and facing collections or judgments, it is very important to understand as much about government programs and the law before agreeing to any payments or contracts. Residents should take advantage of the following resources and attend free workshops in your neighborhoods. Please review the following web sites www.makinghomeaffordable.gov, or www.deforeclosurehelp.org for information and for upcoming events in your area. To talk to a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified housing counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call 1-888-995-HOPE or find www.995HOPE.org on the Internet.

Check out the following web sites created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Trade Commission. This web site has critical information which can assist your understanding of mortgages: www.hud.gov.

The Federal Trade Commission’s web site offers the following information on debt collection:www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm

NeighborWorks America has a web site devoted to foreclosure data and statistics: NeighborWorks: Center for Foreclosure Studies. Check out their web site at: www.nw.org