Two recent scams have been brought to CAPECO’s attention, both of which are related to homeownership and occurred within a four-month span. These scams are particularly concerning as they target vulnerable populations. The scams involves a caller ID listing a mortgage company reaching out to homeowners and offering them a loan modification by lowering their monthly payments. With the loan modification, a barcode or QR code is provided and the homeowner is told to use that code at a service payor, like Walmart, and make the mortgage payment. The scammer checks every month with the household and provides a new code. Households are being told to take that code directly to Walmart, again to make the mortgage payment. Unfortunately, the households may not learn they are being scammed until their mortgage company reaches out to them via letter after the households are three to four months late on their original mortgage payment.
Here are some common mortgage scams that every homeowner should be aware of:

1. Bait-and-Switch: A potential borrower is baited with an enticing loan offer, like a competitive interest rate or low monthly payments. Shortly before it comes time to sign on the dotted line, the lender presents completely new—and much less favorable—home loan terms.
2. Equity Stripping or “Leaseback Scheme”: Scammers promise to rescue a homeowner from their unaffordable mortgage. Facing foreclosure, the homeowner agrees to sign the deed over to a “rescuer” in exchange for the ability to continue living in the home as a renter, while the new homeowner pays off the delinquent mortgage. Meanwhile, these rent payments go toward buying the property back, with interest.
3. Mortgage Relief Scams: Scammers target vulnerable homeowners who are in financial distress. They use a variety of methods, like equity skimming, loan modification, and rescue and relief schemes to take advantage of them. These tactics offer to pay the mortgage or save the home of a homeowner in financial distress.
4. Phony Mortgage Relief Programs: Scammers pose as mortgage relief providers and offer to help homeowners modify their loans or save their homes from foreclosure. They often ask for upfront fees and personal information, which they use to steal the homeowner’s identity.

To protect yourself from mortgage scams, it's important to do your research and be cautious when dealing with lenders or other individuals who offer to help you with your mortgage. Always verify that the lender or company you're working with is legitimate, and never provide personal or financial information unless you're sure it's safe to do so. If you think you may have been the victim of a mortgage scam, contact your local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission immediately.

Check out these websites that provide warning signs, tips, common loan modification scams, as well as information on how submit a complaint or report fraud:

• FDIC.gov
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• FTC.gov
• AARP.org
  

CAPECO offers a variety of services and programs to help individuals and families with housing issues.  Click below to find out more.

Making your money work for you is an essential step in saving for a down payment on a house. One of the first things you can do is to set up an automatic savings plan. This allows you to save money regularly without having to think about it. You can set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account or use an app that rounds up purchases and saves the difference.

Another option is to invest your money in stocks, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Investing can provide higher returns than a savings account, especially in the long term. However, it comes with more risk. It's important to do your research and choose investments that align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Consider taking advantage of any employer-sponsored retirement plans, like a 401(k) or IRA. Contributing to these plans can help you save money on taxes and build your retirement savings at the same time. Some employers also offer matching contributions, which can help your money grow even faster.

If you have high-interest debt, such as credit card debt, it may be a good idea to prioritize paying it off before saving for a down payment. High-interest debt can quickly accumulate and make it more difficult to save money over the long term. Consider using the snowball method to pay off debt, which involves paying off the smallest balances first and then using that money to pay off larger balances.

Consider seeking guidance from a financial advisor or a trusted friend or family member who has experience with saving for a down payment. They can offer advice on budgeting, investing, and other strategies for maximizing your savings and making your money work for you.

Making your money work for you can be a challenging task, but it's critical when saving for a down payment on a house. Strategies like automatic savings plans, investing, employer-sponsored retirement plans, paying off high-interest debt, and seeking guidance from financial experts can all help you achieve your financial goals.

Saving money for a down payment on a home can be a daunting task, especially for first-time homebuyers. It requires a significant amount of planning, discipline, and patience. However, with a few smart strategies, it is possible to save enough money to make your dream of homeownership a reality.

One key strategy is to create a budget and stick to it. You should carefully track your income and expenses, identifying areas where you can reduce your spending and put more money toward your down payment. This might mean cutting back on discretionary expenses like dining out or entertainment, or finding ways to reduce your fixed expenses like rent or utilities.

Another strategy is to automate your savings. Arrange for a portion of your paycheck to be automatically deposited into a separate savings account earmarked for your down payment. This way, you can save consistently without even thinking about it.

Consider using a high-yield savings account that offers a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account. This will help your savings grow faster and provide some extra motivation to continue saving.

You might also consider ways to increase your income. This could mean working overtime, taking on a second job, or starting a side hustle. Any extra income can be put directly into your down payment savings account.
Consider seeking out down payment assistance programs that might be available to you as a first-time homebuyer. Many states and municipalities offer government-funded assistance programs, grants, or low-interest loans to help with down payments. By taking advantage of these programs, you can potentially reduce the amount of money you need to save on your own.

Saving for a down payment on a home takes time and effort, but with a solid plan and consistent savings habits, you can achieve your goal of homeownership. By creating a budget, automating your savings, using a high-yield savings account, increasing your income, and seeking out down payment assistance programs, you are well on your way to saving enough money for your first home.

You can survive becoming a new homeowner.  Here are 13 great tips for new homeowners and first-time home buyers.