If you think you may have been approached by a suspicious individual or organization with a foreclosure scam, here are some signs that you are being scammed.

Most scammers do these things:

• They would offer to act as a go-between with your lender or to negotiate with your lender to refinance your loan.
• They may advise you that they can stop foreclosure by “helping” you file for bankruptcy.
• They would encourage you to sign fake foreclosure rescue or mortgage documents.
• They may claim that they can perform a forensic mortgage loan audit to help you hold on your home.

If any of these options have been offered to you, here are ways to protect yourself from a potential scam:

• Do not send mortgage payments to any company that is not your loan servicer.
• Do not sign any documents without having them reviewed by a lawyer or independent expert.
• Do not stop making mortgage payments.
• Do not give anyone your personal information, social security number, or bank information. Only share this information if you’ve confirmed that the company is legitimate from the resources above.

If you need guidance on how to protect yourself from foreclosure scams, you may talk to a government certified counselor here.

You may also report foreclosure scams to the Federal Trade Commission here.