Help for Homeowners
In New York State, an average of 1 in 10 mortgages is at risk of foreclosure. The approximate number of individuals living in homes that are either in or facing foreclosure exceeds the populations of Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse combined. If you are having difficulty making your mortgage payments or are in foreclosure, you’re not alone, and you can get help. Here are some important steps you can take to protect yourself.
Contact Your Lender or Loan Servicer
If you are at risk of foreclosure, contact your lender or loan servicer immediately to explore all possible solutions to protect yourself and your family. For a list of servicers and their contact information, click here: www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/get-started/contact-mortgage/Pages/default.aspx
If your loan servicer is one of the 5 institutions listed below, you might be eligible for a loan modification or refinance under the national mortgage settlement (link to settlement release). Contact your servicer to see if you are eligible:
- Ally/GMAC: 800-766-4622
- Bank of America: 877-488-7814 (Available M-F 7am - 9pm CST and Saturdays 8am CST - 5pm CST)
- Citi: 866-272-4749
- JPMorgan Chase: 866-372-6901
- Wells Fargo: 800-288-3212 (Available M-F 7 am to 7 pm CST)
Contact a Housing Counselor
Contact a not-for-profit housing counselor who may be able to assist you in negotiating a solution or finding legal services in your area.At little or no cost, they may be able to provide much-needed assistance. Click here to find assistance in your area.
If you live in New York City, you may also get help by contacting the Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN) at 311 or 646-786-0888. CNYCN coordinates foreclosure prevention and intervention services in New York City.
New Yorkers also may contact the national Hope NOW Hotline for assistance at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673). For information on HOPE Now, click here: www.hopenow.com
Seek Legal Assistance
If you are facing foreclosure and need immediate legal assistance, call the New York State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Program at 1-800-342-3661 to locate an attorney in your area. If you cannot afford a lawyer and need to contact free legal services providers in your area, click here: www.lawhelp.org/ny/
Protect Yourself From Scams
Homeowners and those who have lost their homes to foreclosure should always be wary of unsolicited calls, especially if they ask for any personal information. Offers to speed settlement assistance for a fee are fraudulent. Neither the banks, nor HUD-approved housing counseling agencies will charge a fee for settlement assistance.
To protect yourself from being scammed:
- Be skeptical of online ads or telephone solicitations that promise they can get you a mortgage modification or save your home from foreclosure. Only your bank or loan servicer can approve a loan modification.
- Do not give your personal financial information to a solicitor, such as your bank account number, social security number or the name of your loan servicer. Your bank will already have this information.
- Never pay an up-front fee for mortgage-related services. It is a violation of New York law to charge upfront fees for such services, and violations should be reported to the Attorney General’s office at 1-800-771-7755.
If you believe you have been scammed by a foreclosure rescue operator or a debt relief organization, submit a complaint to the New York State Attorney General’s Office:www.ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/Filing-a-Consumer-Complaint