Schuette Encourages Southeast Michigan Homeowners with Foreclosure Concerns to Attend Free Counseling Event June 15th
LANSING, MI – June 14, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today encouraged Southeast Michigan homeowners struggling with foreclosure to attend a June 15th homeowner counseling and lending meeting organized by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and the Foreclosure Intervention and Neighborhood Stabilization Collaborative (FINSC). The event will provide free counseling services and facilitate lender meetings for homeowners from Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties who may be struggling with foreclosure.
“The foreclosure crisis has hit Michigan hard, but homeowners should know they are not alone,” said Schuette. “This event will bring together trained financial counselors, lenders and homeowners willing to work together to preserve the American dream of homeownership.”
The homeowner counseling and lending meeting will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at The Imperial House Banquet Facility, 34701 Groesbeck Highway, Clinton Township, Michigan, 48035. Homeowners are encouraged to pre-register for the event by calling 800-689-1281 to speak with a financial counselor on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Participating homeowners are encouraged to bring the following documentation to the event: Their last three pay stubs, 2010 tax returns and W-2 forms, last two bank statements, documentation of any additional income, proof of property taxes paid, proof of homeowner’s insurance paid, photo identification and proof of hardship (i.e., unemployment, divorce or income reduction). Confirmed lenders expected to be in attendance include: Bank of America, Chase, Fannie Mae, Fifth Third, GMAC, HSBC, Litton Loan, PNC and Wells Fargo.
Schuette’s office will be training financial counselors participating at the event on the warning signs of mortgage fraud and steps they should take to assist homeowners who may have fallen victim to fraud. Schuette reminds Michigan homeowners that citizens do not need to pay to speak with their lender or servicer or to obtain outside assistance with foreclosure issues. For those unable to attend the event, free local assistance with foreclosure issues can be found by calling the Michigan State Housing Development Authority at (866) 946-7432.
The Michigan Attorney General’s office has played an aggressive role in prosecuting individuals and companies for mortgage-related crimes cross the state. Schuette has spoken with registers of deeds across the state and has initiated an investigation in response to their concerns that thousands of forged mortgage documents were filed in Michigan during the current foreclosure crisis. Schuette is also working with fellow attorneys general in a national workgroup examining mortgage lending practices, including the robo-signing issue and consumer protection concerns.
Schuette noted that Michigan’s Credit Services Protection Act prohibits the charging of upfront fees for mortgage services. Schuette urges any homeowners who paid upfront fees to an individual or mortgage modification company for services that were not provided to file a consumer complaint online with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at www.Michigan.gov/ag.
Contact:
John Sellek or Joy Yearout 517-373-8060
