CONSUMER CORNER: Mortgage Assistance Mailing Scam

Provided by the Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection:

Bucks County Consumer Protection, in partnership with the Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force, is issuing an urgent Fraud Alert regarding deceptive and misleading mortgage assistance-related mailings recently reported by a local resident. These mailings appear to originate from an unidentified organization calling itself “The Mortgage Help Center” or similar vague variations, but no legitimate address, lender identity, or verifiable company information is provided. Although the letter attempts to look official, this mailing is NOT from any government agency, COVID-19 relief program, mortgage lender, or authorized housing assistance organization. The material is designed to phish for personal and financial information from unsuspecting homeowners.

How the Scam Works

Scammers generate highly targeted mailings by pulling basic mortgage information from public property records, including information meant to convey legitimacy such as; Current mortgage lender name, Loan type, Estimated mortgage balance, Property address, and the Homeowner’s name

The scammers then package this information into a letter claiming that the homeowner has a pending eligibility determination, listing a “disbursement code” which must be claimed or mentioned when calling, stating that an immediate response is required by a deadline date. Claiming the homeowner’s mortgage terms may be adjusted or modified. The mailing may include a personalized website link has been created using the homeowner’s name, and/or a toll-free number they claim must be called to “confirm eligibility”.

The scammers rely on the appearance of personalized data to create a false sense of legitimacy. This is a deceptive tactic. Keep in mind property record data does NOT indicate a valid or authorized lender communication as this is readily accessible public information through mortgage and deed records on file with each county’s Recorder of Deeds office.

What Bucks County Consumers Should Do

Do NOT:

• Call the phone number listed
• Visit the personalized web link
• Provide your Social Security number, banking information, mortgage account number, or any personal details
• Assume the mailing is legitimate because it contains accurate loan information

Do:

• Disregard and destroy the mailing
• Warn family members and neighbors, especially older adults who are frequently targeted by these schemes
• Contact Bucks County Consumer Protection if you receive a similar mailing
• Contact your actual mortgage servicer directly using the number on your monthly statement if you are unsure about any correspondence

Legitimate Housing Assistance Resources

If you are a Bucks County resident seeking housing counseling, mortgage assistance, foreclosure prevention guidance, or first-time homebuyer education, always use reputable, HUD-approved nonprofit organizations.

A trusted local resource is The Credit Counseling Center, which can be contacted by phone at 215-348-8003 or online at: www.creditcounselingcenter.org

This organization provides free or low-cost housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, debt management, and bankruptcy-related counseling without collecting sensitive information through unsolicited mailings.

Report Suspicious Mailings

Bucks County Consumer Protection encourages residents to report similar mailings so we can continue monitoring this scam and warn the community.

To report a scam or for further guidance on any suspicious mailing please don’t hesitate to contact Consumer Protection for help vetting the legitimacy of any correspondence received or potential scam. It’s best to get a second opinion before potentially compromising your information and falling victim to a scammers ruse.

Contact Bucks County Consumer Protection via phone at 215-348-6060, e-mail to: consumerprotection@buckscounty.org or online at www.BucksCounty.gov/ConsumerProtection

Sample of Reported Scam Mailing (Redacted)

A sample of the mailing reported to our office is shown below with the consumer’s information blacked out for privacy. This sample is provided solely for identification purposes so residents may recognize similar fraudulent solicitations.

To learn how to protect yourself from scams and fraud, please visit our website at www.buckscounty.gov/cp.

Monthly Fraud Alerts brought to you by Bucks County Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force 24-hour hotline: 1-800-490-8505, Bucks County District Attorney’s Office: 215-348-6344, A Woman’s Place (AWP): 1-800-220-8116, Bucks County Area Agency on Aging: 267-880-5700, Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection: 215-348-6060, Bucks County Coroner’s Office: 215-348-3852, Bucks County Register of Wills: 215-348-6265, Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA): 1-800-675-6900, and U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services/OIG: 1-800-447-8477.