Street Hype Newspaper » Sports

HUD Advances Fight Against Loan Modification Scams

mark — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:37:22 +0000

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with the Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network, recently announced the launch of PreventLoanScams.org. “ Homeowners at risk of foreclosure can be easy prey for home loan modification scammers. Often, dishonest individuals lure vulnerable homeowners into foreclosure rescue scams by making false promises. Scammers frequently claim they can lower mortgage payments or stop the foreclosure process. ” “Troubled homeowners lose time and money when they are tricked by con artists who promise to help but never do,” said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “This initiative combines the collective energies of public and private enterprises to strengthen the ability of law enforcement to prosecute scammers and protect homeowners.”

The Loan Modification Scam Prevention Network, a national coalition of public and private enterprises, is led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, and NeighborWorks America assist the Lawyers’ Committee in leading the coalition’s fight against loan modification scams. The Network developed PreventLoanScams.org to provide homeowners with a single destination to report alleged scammers.

Complaints filed online are added to a national complaint database and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for review. The Network estimates that the website will assist approximately 50,000 homeowners affected by scams. Additionally, HUD has directed its local fair housing and housing counseling grantees to begin reporting alleged loan modification scams via the website.

The creation of a national complaint database is a major step in the fight against loan modification scams. Prior to the launch of PreventLoanScams.org, federal, state, and local government agencies could not share complaint data with non-profit organizations. The new system allows for better analysis of trends across jurisdictional lines and will likely lead to an increase in private enforcement action filings.

HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation’s fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

Warner Park scores with international sporting fraternity

mark — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:36:41 +0000

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) — The vision of a redesigned and refurbished Warner Park as a center for hosting world class sporting and entertainment events continues to come to fruition.This weekend signals the first of many regional/international events taking place at the facility between January and June.

Guyana’s Moore in a hurry to be a world champion

mark — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:35:59 +0000

SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Guyanese boxer Leon “Hurry Up” Moore has fought in Colombia, Barbados and Kyrgyzstan and now a move to Southeast Asia late in his career has put the fighter into the position of possible world-title contender. Moore, 31, won a unanimous points decision over Indonesian Marangin Marbun.

Haitian boxer Berto pulls out of fight

mark — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:35:25 +0000

LAS VEGAS USA (AFP) — Andre Berto pulled out of next week’s World Boxing Council welterweight title fight with Shane Mosley, saying the pain of dealing with the horrific earthquake has taken too big a toll on him emotionally. Berto, whose parents are Haitian said he cannot continue to train.

Caribbean preparing to woo the world with ICC WT20 West Indies 2010

mark — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:34:45 +0000

BASSETERRE, St Kitts–As the Caribbean marks 100 days until the start of ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010, Tournament Director Robert Bryan says “momentum is mounting as the region gears up to host the blockbuster cricket event”. Additionally, he noted tournament preparations have intensified.

WI to face England in Christchurch

mark — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:33:57 +0000

West Indies under-19s are now in Christchurch, ahead of Friday’s ICC Youth World Cup quarter-final clash against Group A winners England in New Zealand.

West Indies finished runners-up to Pakistan in Group D with two victories from three matches. The Caribbean side has struggled to match their 2004 finals appearance, finishing fifth and eighth in subsequent championships. They will be looking for a change of fortunes against England whose last title came 12 years ago.