"I have lived in the same home for 30 years. I raised my family there."
But Edward Harper could lose his home. He's telling his story to serve as a lesson to us all. Harper fell two months behind on his mortgage and reached out to New Jersey-based company, Fresh Start Financial Services, for help.
"They told me that they would give me a buy-back mortgage where I wouldn't have to pay a mortgage for a year."
"So they pitched him on this mortgage but in fact, what they were doing is taking title to his house," said Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg of Community Legal Services.
Harper's attorney says the company was running a foreclosure rescue scam and stole Harper's home right out from under him along with his $100,000 in equity.
So to fight against alleged fraud like this the city of Philadelphia and partners of NeighborWorks America have announced a new scam alert campaign. It includes an additional $20,000 to fund a hotline that distressed homeowners can call for help.
"Don't sign, call the hotline, don't sign, call the hotline and check it out," said Mayor Michael Nutter.
"I just want my home back and that's my sad story for the day," said Harper.
Although, we learned later, Mr. Harper's story may just have a happy ending.
"Just a little while ago we heard from Sovereign bank. Sovereign bank has agreed to suspend foreclosure proceedings for Mr. Harper and has initiated an investigation," said Mayor Nutter.
Meantime, Community Legal Services has filed two lawsuits against New Jersey-based Fresh Start Financial Services on behalf of other consumers. It plans to file a lawsuit for Mr. Harper in the coming weeks. The company has yet to respond to the lawsuits that have been filed and its phone number is disconnected.
Save Your Home Philly hotline number = 215-334-HOME (4663)
Save Your Home Philly website
The national hotline = 1-800-995-HOPE (4673)
Loan Modification Scam Alert website
