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Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, today announced that Department of Financial Services mortgage foreclosure prevention specialists will return to Lindenhurst on Friday, June 1 to meet with financially-troubled homeowners in Suffolk County seeking to save their homes. This will be the second time this spring the Department has visited Lindenhurst to offer assistance to homeowners.
The Department’s foreclosure prevention specialists will be available to meet with homeowners from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, 1 Lee Ave., Lindenhurst.
“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 Owen Johnson said, “Families are struggling to stay in their homes in this difficult economy and need to know there are services available to help them. Homeowners can speak one-on-one with trained professionals to learn about services to help them stay in their homes. I thank the Department of Financial Services for partnering with me to offer this essential service to local residents. I also thank Library Director Peter Ward for allowing the use of the library for this important event. I urge homeowners at risk of foreclosure to seek help now while there are still solutions available! Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
Assemblyman Bob Sweeney said: “This is an important initiative designed to help homeowners greatly increase their ability to stay in their homes. It is important that people in foreclosure seek help as soon as possible. The longer they wait, the more difficult it becomes to manage the process. I thank the Department of Financial Services for partnering with the Lindenhurst Library to offer their services.”
Foreclosure prevention specialists will meet with homeowners to assess where they are in the pre-foreclosure or foreclosure process and provide:
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 using the Department website, www.dfs.ny.gov.
Also, information may be obtained by calling the Department’s toll-free foreclosure hotline, 1-800-269-0990 or 518-457-1654, 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 is 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 dozen sites in the state as part of its citizen outreach effort.