QuickTake

Help for North Carolinians who are at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure is now just a telephone call away. North Carolinians can call the HOPE Hotline toll-free at 888-995-HOPE 24 hours a day, seven days a week for free counseling on options to avoid foreclosure.

Keep the following tips in mind to avoid scams and frauds:

• Beware of so-called foreclosure assistance or rescue companies that require payment up front before they "help" you. It's illegal to charge an upfront fee for foreclosure assistance services in North Carolina.

• Steer clear of foreclosure assistance or rescue companies that want you to make your mortgage payment to them, or who tell you not to talk to your mortgage company or an attorney.

• Watch our for so-called real estate investors, who promise to pay off your mortgage if you sign over the deed to your property, but not the mortgage. Remember, just signing over your deed doesn't get your out of the responsibility for paying your mortgage.

• Other scam tip offs: the schemer refuses to put his or her promises in writing, pressures you to sign paperwork you haven't had a chance to read thoroughly, or offers to fill out the paperwork for you.

• Report foreclosure scams to the Attorney General's office by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

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