MEDIA ALERT!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2011
Watts/Century Latino Organization Helps Homeowners Avoid Foreclosures and Scams during the 13th Annual National Consumer Protection Week And thereafter
Top 10 Tips to Help Avoid Foreclosure and Scams in 2011
Los Angeles, California- Watts/Century Latino Organization (WCLO) joined federal, state, and local government agencies and national organizations in celebrating the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW March 6-12, 2011). During NCPW, groups’ nationwide shared tips and information that help consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, and avoid frauds and scams. Unfortunately, millions of homeowners will try to reduce their mortgage payments with a loan modification. The scammers know this therefore, WCLO will continue with this Loan Modification Scam Prevention Campaign in Los Angeles.
1. Contact your lender first as soon as you get concerned about paying your mortgage.
2. Determine your options by speaking to your lender's loss mitigation department.
3. Be patient but persistent with your lender, getting a loan modification takes time.
4. Call WCLO, a local HUD-approved counseling agency at (323) 564-9140 or (323) 564-0524, to receive Loan
Modification Assistance and First-Time Home Buyer Education Services for FREE.
5. Meet with a counselor a Watts/century Latino Organization, where trained counselors are available to provide assistance in
English and Spanish.
6. Be aware of loan modification scams. Some companies and individuals are out to take advantage of homeowners seeking loan
modifications.
7. Avoid anyone who asks for a fee prior to providing any loan modification service, including companies, individuals and even
some lawyers.
8. Avoid anyone who guarantees to get your loan modified or stop a foreclosure, because nobody has the power to make this
promise.
9. Avoid companies that tell you to stop paying your mortgage and to pay them instead. This is a sure sign of a scam.
10. Report loan modification or foreclosure scams at any time by visiting www.LoanScamAlert.org or calling
1-888-995-HOPE (4673). For more information about the campaign, visit www.LoanScamAlert.org
Loan modification scams are proliferating at a rapid pace costing unsuspecting homeowners thousands of dollars and often their homes. To help combat this issue, Congress asked NeighborWorks America® to launch a national public education campaign in 2009. Today, the Loan Modification Scam Alert campaign empowers homeowners to protect themselves against loan modification scams, find trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities.
About Watts/Century Latino Organization (WCLO)
Founded in 1990, the Watts/Century Latino Organization (WCLO) is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to supporting the development of healthy neighborhoods and self-sufficient families. Working with public and private sector agencies, we engage in comprehensive community development projects and programs that promote:
• Civic Action and Engagement
• Community Economic and Human Capital Development
• Education Improvement
• Community Safety
• Cultural Awareness, Equity and Unity
Watts/Century Latino Organization (WCLO) is located at 10360 Wilmington Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2011
Watts/Century Latino Organization Helps Homeowners Avoid Foreclosures and Scams during the 13th Annual National Consumer Protection Week And thereafter
Top 10 Tips to Help Avoid Foreclosure and Scams in 2011
Los Angeles, California- Watts/Century Latino Organization (WCLO) joined federal, state, and local government agencies and national organizations in celebrating the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW March 6-12, 2011). During NCPW, groups’ nationwide shared tips and information that help consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, and avoid frauds and scams. Unfortunately, millions of homeowners will try to reduce their mortgage payments with a loan modification. The scammers know this therefore, WCLO will continue with this Loan Modification Scam Prevention Campaign in Los Angeles.
1. Contact your lender first as soon as you get concerned about paying your mortgage.
2. Determine your options by speaking to your lender's loss mitigation department.
3. Be patient but persistent with your lender, getting a loan modification takes time.
4. Call WCLO, a local HUD-approved counseling agency at (323) 564-9140 or (323) 564-0524, to receive Loan
Modification Assistance and First-Time Home Buyer Education Services for FREE.
5. Meet with a counselor a Watts/century Latino Organization, where trained counselors are available to provide assistance in
English and Spanish.
6. Be aware of loan modification scams. Some companies and individuals are out to take advantage of homeowners seeking loan
modifications.
7. Avoid anyone who asks for a fee prior to providing any loan modification service, including companies, individuals and even
some lawyers.
8. Avoid anyone who guarantees to get your loan modified or stop a foreclosure, because nobody has the power to make this
promise.
9. Avoid companies that tell you to stop paying your mortgage and to pay them instead. This is a sure sign of a scam.
10. Report loan modification or foreclosure scams at any time by visiting www.LoanScamAlert.org or calling
1-888-995-HOPE (4673). For more information about the campaign, visit www.LoanScamAlert.org
Loan modification scams are proliferating at a rapid pace costing unsuspecting homeowners thousands of dollars and often their homes. To help combat this issue, Congress asked NeighborWorks America® to launch a national public education campaign in 2009. Today, the Loan Modification Scam Alert campaign empowers homeowners to protect themselves against loan modification scams, find trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities.
About Watts/Century Latino Organization (WCLO)
Founded in 1990, the Watts/Century Latino Organization (WCLO) is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to supporting the development of healthy neighborhoods and self-sufficient families. Working with public and private sector agencies, we engage in comprehensive community development projects and programs that promote:
• Civic Action and Engagement
• Community Economic and Human Capital Development
• Education Improvement
• Community Safety
• Cultural Awareness, Equity and Unity
Watts/Century Latino Organization (WCLO) is located at 10360 Wilmington Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90002
CONTACT:
Ana López or Arturo Ybarra
Phone Number (323) 564-9140
Email wclo@sbcglobal.net
Ana López or Arturo Ybarra
Phone Number (323) 564-9140
Email wclo@sbcglobal.net