BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008 It is sad to think about it, but unfortunately there are people out there that are using the Home Affordable Refinance Program that was put together by the government to scam homeowners out of their private information. This information, as you can imagine is of the utmost importance as it typically includes your social security number, address, income information and plenty of other information that third parties could use to steal your identity. HARP was created in order to help underwater homeowners and that is exactly what it does – but it is important that you understand what to watch out for to ensure that you are dealing with a real lender and not someone trying to steal your identity. What is HARP? HARP is a government created program that makes it easy for homeowners to refinance their home, despite being underwater. There are very few stipulations regarding the program, making widespread availability possible for millions of homeowners. The idea of the program is to help homeowners stay in their homes rather than have to succumb to foreclosure due to being unable to afford their current mortgage payments. Avoiding a Scam- HARP is meant to help homeowners and it does, as long as the necessary precautions are taken. Before providing your information to just anyone that claims to have the “best deal” for you, it is important to know what to watch for to prevent being taken by a scam. The following factors are a clue that you are dealing with a scam: If the person soliciting your information requires an upfront payment; it is not government related. HARP is a free program that does not cost anything with the exception of the closing costs, which are paid at the closing of your mortgage. Papers do not need to be signed right away. If you are feeling pressured to sign papers or provide your private information, proceed with caution. Third parties do not need to get involved in the process. You should be dealing directly with your lender of choice. If a third party insists on gathering your information and handling your phone calls, chances are it is a scam. If the person that you deal with consistently pushes you to input your information online, forwarding you to websites that look fishy, avoid them. Any websites that you deal with should have the official HARP logo. Mortgage payments should strictly be made to the mortgage company, never to a third party. Check the company out with the National Mortgage Registry or Better Business Bureau before providing any information. All Help Should be Free- The bottom line is that if the program seems too good to be true, chances are it is. Do your homework, perform your research and follow your gut when it comes to determining whether you are dealing with a legitimate source or not. Scam artists understand the anguish that anxious homeowners are under that are struggling to make their mortgage payments and they prey on that.

1. Protecting Yourself
From A HARP Scam
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM

2. It is sad to think about it, but
unfortunately there are people out
there that are using the Home
Affordable Refinance Program that
was put together by the government
to scam homeowners out of their
private information. This information,
as you can imagine is of the utmost
importance as it typically includes
your social security number,
address, income information and
plenty of other information that third
parties could use to steal your
identity.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

3. HARP was created in order to help
underwater homeowners and that is
exactly what it does – but it is important
that you understand what to watch out
for to ensure that you are dealing with a
real lender and not someone trying to
steal your identity.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

4. What is HARP?
HARP is a government created program that
makes it easy for homeowners to refinance their
home, despite being underwater. There are very
few stipulations regarding the program, making
widespread availability possible for millions of
homeowners. The idea of the program is to help
homeowners stay in their homes rather than have
to succumb to foreclosure due to being unable to
afford their current mortgage payments.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

5. Avoiding a Scam
HARP is meant to help homeowners and it does,
as long as the necessary precautions are taken.
Before providing your information to just anyone
that claims to have the “best deal” for you, it is
important to know what to watch for to prevent
being taken by a scam.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

6. The following factors
are a clue that you
are dealing with a
SCAM:
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

7. If the person soliciting your information
requires an upfront payment; it is not
government related. HARP is a free program
that does not cost anything with the
exception of the closing costs, which are
paid at the closing of your mortgage.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

8. Papers do not need to be signed right away. If
you are feeling pressured to sign papers or
provide your private information, proceed with
caution.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

9. Third parties do not need to get involved in the
process. You should be dealing directly with
your lender of choice. If a third party insists on
gathering your information and handling your
phone calls, chances are it is a scam.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

10. If the person that you deal with consistently
pushes you to input your information online,
forwarding you to websites that look fishy,
avoid them.
Any websites that you deal with should have
the official HARP logo.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

11. Mortgage payments should strictly be made to
the mortgage company, never to a third party.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

12. Check the company out with the National
Mortgage Registry or Better Business
Bureau before providing any information.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

13. All Help Should be Free
The bottom line is that if the program seems too good to be true,
chances are it is. Do your homework, perform your research and
follow your gut when it comes to determining whether you are dealing
with a legitimate source or not. Scam artists understand the anguish
that anxious homeowners are under that are struggling to make their
mortgage payments and they prey on that. These scam artists will
make promises that will not be kept and in the end will steal your
private information and possibly your identity, not to mention any
money that you pay them. There are definite ways to determine if you
are dealing with a scam that only take a few simple minutes. These
few minutes could preserve your financial well­being and your state of
mind, not to mention avoid an unnecessary foreclosure or short sale
of your home. HARP is a great program that has helped millions of
people keep their home and save money every month; make sure you
are one of them by avoiding a scam.
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

14. T O L E A R N M O R E
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008
C L IC K HE R E
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

15. Justin McHood is Americas Mortgage
Commentator and has been providing
Mortgage commentary for over 10 years.
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:
JUSTIN MCHOOD
MORTGAGE COMMENTATOR
Information Originally Published: January 16, 2015
BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008

16. LEARN MORE ABOUT
MORTGAGE COMMENTATOR:
MORTGAGECOMMENTATOR.COM
FACEBOOK.COM/MORTGAGECOMMENTATOR
@MORTGAGECOM_
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BLOWNMORTGAGE.COM
LENDER HOTLINE: 888-581-5008