Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, today announced that Department of Financial Services mortgage foreclosure prevention specialists will meet with homeowners already in foreclosure and those at risk of foreclosure from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 12 at the Home Depot Shopping Center at 150 Fulton Ave. in Hempstead.

"Governor Cuomo believes that it’s essential that we provide as much help as possible to financially-troubled homeowners. Our objective is to provide direct help to homeowners and get the word out to others that it’s important to ask for help as quickly as possible. The longer a homeowner waits, the harder it may be to save a home," Superintendent Lawsky said.

Senator Kemp Hannon said: “In this economy, many families are struggling to make ends meet. Homeowners facing foreclosure should know there is help. The Department of Financial Services will have trained specialists on-site to speak with them individually about programs and services that are available to them to help them stay in their homes.”

Foreclosure prevention specialists will meet with homeowners to assess where they are in the pre-foreclosure or foreclosure process and provide:

• Information to homeowners about specific loan modification programs which may be available to them;
• Guidance to homeowners on how they can file complaints with the Department so that cases of lender or mortgage servicer abuses, such as predatory lending practices, can be investigated.

The foreclosure prevention specialists will meet with homeowners inside the Department's Mobile Command Center, a 36-foot long vehicle. Homeowners should bring with them any documents relevant to their individual situations, such as records of mortgage payments or letters to them from lenders or mortgage servicers.

Homeowners may also file complaints via the Department's Consumer Complaint Portal.

Also, information may be obtained by calling the Department's toll-free foreclosure hotline at (800) 342-3736 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Superintendent Lawsky urged homeowners to be wary of mortgage rescue scams, which may be marketed by private businesses.

"Beware of anyone who asks for an upfront fee in exchange for getting you a loan modification, saving your home from default or stopping a foreclosure or tax sale. New York law prohibits the collection of such fees in most cases. Also, many not-for-profit housing counselors will help you negotiate with your lender for free," Superintendent Lawsky said.

"Beware of anyone who says they can save your home if you sign or transfer the deed to your house over to them so you can catch up on your mortgage payments or refinance your loan. Never submit your mortgage payments to anyone other than your mortgage company without its approval."

The Department plans on sending foreclosure prevention specialists to assist homeowners at sites across the state, particularly where there are high concentrations of homeowners in or at risk of foreclosure. The Department’s foreclosure prevention initiative was launched in February and has visited more than a half dozen locations as part of its citizen outreach effort.