When you're in trouble, you look for help but too many people are looking for help in the wrong place.

“Crooks are slick,” said Tonya Collister of CCCS.

Collister says so-called foreclosure rescue firms comb public records for pending foreclosures and prey on people who are desperate to hang on to their homes.

“They promise things they can't follow through on: ‘Oh, we're communicating with the lender.’ But they're not doing anything,” she said.

To avoid foreclosure traps, watch out for unsolicited offers. Be wary of demands for upfront fees before service is provided. And stay away from any service that advises you to transfer the title of your home or stop contact with your lender.

“They're cutting you off from people you need to be talking to,” said Collister. “Legitimate companies don't do that.”

There is a federal loan modification program that allows you to lower your interest rate but it only applies to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loans. If you qualify, your lender will contact you. No other company should contact you to claim it can help you.
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