Spotting the Bad Guys: How to Avoid Reverse Mortgage Scams

Nowadays, due to an economic meltdown everyone is experiencing, some people resort to scamming and stealing other people's money. Below are some tips to help you avoid Reverse Mortgage Scams.
Like many other financial plans, reverse mortgages have their share of swindlers, crooks and scam artists. Those people who would love to get a hold of your hard-earned money for nothing, and reverse mortgages are a good way to get a big chuck of yours, as this entails the whole equity of your home.

Live Well Financial.com is aware of these kinds of scammers and crooks, and wishes to help you be able to spot these fakers. Here are several warning signs:

WARNING SIGN # 1: Here today, Gone Tomorrow

The Internet is a pretty big place, it’s true, but what are the chances that a company that handles a big transaction like reverse mortgages have never been heard of by anyone? Livewell Financial.com has been in the business for 5 years now, and has a ton of referrals, testimonials and web links to other sites. Beware, the Internet is a place where crooks can set up shop overnight and disappear just as quickly. Be sure to canvass around first, or better yet, ask around friends and family if they have any referrals of their own.

WARNING SIGN # 2: Internet Buddies

A company that has no main office and only exists online is a big no-no. You can never chase these people once they have your money in their grubby little hands. Livewell Financial.com already offers customers all necessary information regarding office location and contact details, and you should be sure to check out their main office before you do business with them.

WARNING SIGN # 3: Jumbled Jargon

True, it’s always the responsibility of the customer to read the fine print before signing any contract, but sometimes, even the contract itself is so complicated and confusing, you don’t even get to the fine print anymore without getting confused. Reliable reverse mortgaging companies are able to deliver their contracts in a precise and clear manner that even the average Joe can understand. Livewell Financial.com already states all the relevant policies and statements that a homeowner needs to know about getting a reverse mortgage.

WARNING SIGN # 4: Too Good to Be True

Remember that old adage, it its too good to be true, it probably is. A lot of scam companies out there will offer astoundingly low reverse mortgage fees to reel you in, and then once you’ve signed on, will suddenly sucker punch you with other hidden fees and charges that leave you with much less than what you started with, and without a home to boot. Live Well Financial offers you reasonable charges for their services, and even offers other for free.

Always make sure that you’ve obtained financial counseling before taking this big a step in your life because it never pays to go into such transactions blind. Take everything you hear with a bit of salt, and always look around for you best deal. This will take a bit more effort and patience on your part, but it will all pay off in the end.

By Brett Ludden
Published: 7/6/2009
 
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