Is Reverse Mortgage Scam?

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) urge clients, in particular senior citizens, to be vigilant when seeking reverse mortgage products. Reverse mortgages, additionally called home equity conversion mortgages (HECM), have expanded more than 1,300% among 1999 and 2008, creating huge possibilities for fraud perpetrators.
Reverse mortgage scams are engineered by using unscrupulous specialists in a mess of real estate, financial services, and related agencies to steal the equity from the property of unsuspecting senior citizens or to apply these seniors to unwittingly aid the fraudsters in stealing equity from a flipped property.
In some of the mentioned scams, victim seniors are provided free homes, investment opportunities, and foreclosure or refinance help. They're extensively utilized as straw shoppers in property flipping scams. Seniors are often centered via local churches and investment seminars, in addition to television, radio, billboard, and mailer advertisements.b
A legitimate HECM loan product is insured by the Federal Housing Authority. It permits eligible homeowners to access the equity of their homes with the aid of offering budget without incurring a month-to-month price. Eligible debtors need to be 62 years or older who occupy their home as their main house. See the FBI/HUD intelligence Bulletin for particular information on HECMs as well as other foreclosure rescue and investment schemes.
Tips for Avoiding Reverse Mortgage Scams:
  • Do not respond to unsolicited advertisements.
  • Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment.
  • Do not sign anything that you do not fully understand.
  • Do not accept payment from individuals for a home you did not purchase.
  • Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor.

If you are a victim of this type of fraud and want to file a complaint, please submit information through the FBI’s electronic tip line or through your local FBI office. You may also file a complaint with HUD-OIG at www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm or by calling HUD’s hotline at 1-800-347-3735.
Location: United States

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How does a reverse mortgage work?

Reverse mortgage is a loan made by a lender to a homeowner using the home as security or collateral. With a traditional mortgage, the homeowner uses their income to pay down the debt over time. However, with a  reverse mortgage the loan balance grows over time  because the homeowner is not making monthly mortgage payments. A reverse mortgage loan typically does not require repayment for as long as the borrower(s) continues to live in the home as the primary residence, pays property taxes and insurance, and maintains the home according to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requirements or until the last homeowner has passed away or has moved out of the property. The amount of equity you can access with a reverse mortgage is determined by the age of the youngest borrower, current interest rates, and the value of the home. Please note that you may need to set aside additional funds from loan proceeds to pay for taxes and insurance. Source:
Read more

Despite Concerns, Reverse Mortgage Impact in Puerto Rico Minimal

Image
Some advocates and lenders have warned of a coming foreclosure crisis in Puerto Rico, but one top lender on the island says reverse mortgage borrowers rode out the recent storm much more easily than their forward counterparts. Puerto Ricans are still cleaning up in the wake of Hurricane Maria, which made landfall on the U.S. territory as a Category 4 storm last fall. In response to the devastation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development instituted a moratorium on foreclosures through March 19 for all forward and reverse loans — and as the deadline approaches, some have sounded the alarm about the potential impact on homeowners. “When I speak with my family in Puerto Rico, I hear the desperation in their voices,” New Jersey resident Maribel Soto told NJ.com last week. ”They don’t know when they will find employment again and when they will have stability in their lives. It’s unjust that companies are taking advantage of people at such a moment.” While forward mortgage borrow
Read more

Shopping for a Reverse Mortgage

Image
If you’re considering a reverse mortgage, shop around. Decide which type of reverse mortgage might be right for you. That might depend on what you want to do with the money. Compare the options, terms, and fees from various lenders. Learn as much as you can about reverse mortgages before you talk to a counselor or lender . And ask lots of questions to make sure a reverse mortgage could work for you – and that you’re getting the right kind for you. Here are some things to consider: Do you want a reverse mortgage to pay for home repairs or property taxes? If so, find out if you qualify for any low-cost single purpose loans in your area. Staff at your local Area Agency on Aging may know about the programs in your area. Find the nearest agency on aging at eldercare.gov, or call 1-800-677-1116. Ask about “loan or grant programs for home repairs or improvements,” or “property tax deferral” or “property tax postponement” programs, and how to apply. Do you live in a higher-valued home?
Read more