Scammers love stressed people in need, and they’ve deployed a range of spoofing and other tactics that offer financial aid to panicked homeowners. Here are some to look out for:
FRAUDULENT CALLS: Freddie Mac warned this week that borrowers are receiving fraudulent calls supposedly from Freddie Mac and being offered low interest rates and other false promises. Freddie Mac says it never reaches out to consumers over the phone with a refinancing opportunity or a new loan offer.
Knowing that some homeowners are struggling economically thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers may call owners with offers of immediate relief from foreclosure or help with programs that can temporarily suspend their mortgage payments.
Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and many private lenders actually are offering programs to help homeowners have trouble right now – but those calls need to be initiated by the owner.
“Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID in an effort to disguise their identity while pretending to be someone else,” Freddie Mac warns in a statement about the growing scam. Through spoofing, a homeowner’s cell phone could actually say the call is coming from Freddie Mac.
Tips from Freddie Mac to help homeowners avoid being scammed:
· If a call comes from an unknown number, let it go to voicemail. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message.
· If you answer and receive a robocall, don’t press any numbers. Hang up.
· Never give out any personal, financial, or other sensitive information unless you’ve verified the caller is a legitimate source.
EMAIL SCAMS: Be aware that scammers are now attempting to collect your personal information by emailing you that you are entitled to receive money from the stimulus package just past. They will disguise themselves as government agencies, feral help groups and even law firms. This is a complete lie. The email will have you clink on a link to enter your personal information as a verification. They will ask for your social security number and banking information to direct deposit the money. they will go as far as asking you for this information from all of your dependents.
The federal government does not need this information. They are going to use your tax return information to either direct deposit or mail you a check. be on the look out for the check so check your snail mail box regularly.
WEB ADS: Do not fall prey to adds from websites promising you immediate payment of the stimulus money. They will say they can get the money to you in 24hrs or less. Like the email and phone scam, they will attempt to collect personal information. Don't even click on these links, as they can potentially download a computer virus to your device and take your device ransom.
These scammers are the low-life of this earth and should be avoided at all cost. I rank there with the hoarders that try to price gouge during a crisis. be careful and if you have questions of when you receive the stimulus package refer to trusted new agencies and websites. Here are some I refer to:
New York Times
IRS
ARETSI
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