Nixon just launched Operation Stealing Home. It's a program that will land at least one man from Springfield in court because he’s accused of scamming vulnerable homeowners.

“They are taking advantage of people at wits’ end and last dime of stressful situation,” said Assistant Attorney General Ron Carrier.

As part of Operation Stealing Home, Carrier wants to warn homeowners about mortgage fraud -- principally foreclosure rescue scams. That’s where a company promises to save your home by paying off your loan and you continue to live in the home while make payments to it.

The problem is, “the payments might not be utilized to pay the mortgage and instead are pocketed by the company supposed to rescue you,” said Carrier.

The attorney general sued Brian Thompson of Springfield. Thompson owns All Decked Out. The suit alleges Thompson carried out one of these foreclosure rescue schemes.

“There is nothing more important than the home they live in and it is a safe haven, and to have someone rip that from under you is a stab in the gut,” said Carrier.

In response to the allegations, Thompson wrote an e-mail message to a reporter.

“I, Brian Thompson have in no fashion or form committed illegal activity relating to the purchasing of properties subject to foreclosure proceedings. The suit filed against me by the Missouri Attorney General's Office is baseless and arises out of false complaints. This is nothing more than vindictive behavior by angry clients who did not perform in the manner set forth in their contract. When you take that type of vindictive behavior coupled with an amount of sensationalism created by a politician meant to gain favor with the voting public, false allegations will fly. I will defend the allegations to my best ability and the Court system will validate my actions,” the message said.
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And if you're facing foreclosure, be sure you read any contract carefully before signing it to make sure you don't end up in a worse situation than the one you already face.