Article 33
(copyright protected)
How a NEW tenant lost $6,000.00?
I was talking with someone in the executive level of one of credit bureaus and a true story was shared. Here it goes. This happened just a few days ago (towards the end of Sept. 2008)
A single mother of 2 children signed an occupancy agreement with the owner of a townhouse in Atlanta. She paid $2,000 for first month rent, 2,000.00 for last month and $2,000.00 for security deposit. While moving-in (5 days after paying this amount/signing), she was thrown out by the Sheriff (evicted). Do you know why?
For those “men” who think they could do a better job or knew what to do; does not matter how good you are, there is always someone that knows how to scam YOU (even at your intelligence level). The scams/frauds are in so many forms and shapes.
She paid the amount, unaware that the owner was foreclosed. Since it is easy to remove the foreclosure sign from a property (however, 99% of the times there are NO signs); therefore NO ONE would know if a property is in trouble. The foreclosure had already taken place and the bank started the legal dispossessory (eviction) process. Yet no one would have actually known. It was not that this young lady had an option, but most of us do. The option you have before you handout so much money is described below.
I talked about some of these in the “Bad Things Happen to Good People. Your Credit = Your Life, Fix It Now” are repeatedly write articles on so many websites. I am reorganizing my website to post all sorts of articles (from scams, fraud, saving money tips, fighting collection agencies and much more). However, I will give you some pointers (for those who don’t want to spend $25.00 and get educated in all sorts of things).
1. Check with the Better Business Bureaus (“BBB”) in the area of the business you want to enter into a contract. Although BBB’s are influenced by the businesses, which they sponsor; however, sometimes they will provide “some” accurate information.
2. This is especially important for the state with non-judicial foreclosure. Check with the local news paper/media in the area closest to where the business is located and see if they have written, advertised or hold any negative information about the company.
3. Check with the state District Attorney (DA) or especially state Attorney General (A.G.) office of Consumer Protection and see if they have any past or pending complaints against the company or individual.
4. This is important for the Judicial Foreclosure states. Check with the Clerk of the Magistrate, Civil, Circuit, Superior (or whatever courts that handle lawsuits or foreclosure) to see if there is a lawsuit or foreclosure complaints filed with that office. In most states that Foreclosure is a judicial process, it is done in a Circuit or Superior courts. Different states may have names other than these two for their Court of records. These are the courts that the real-estate property deeds/records and liens are recorded.
5. Some states even have office of Small Business Complaints and Grievance. Call those offices. Call your state information line to see if you state has an office that manages consumer complaints against small business or an office that resolves “tenant-landlord” disputes.
There are some other more time consuming or troublesome options, but the options 2 through 5 is your best and most accurate choice to check and see if you are throwing your good money after bad.
Now if you don’t know what a “Judicial Foreclosure State” means: In some states, a bank/lender can NOT foreclose on a real-estate property, unless it files a complaint/lawsuit in a court of record (the court that its clerk also processes Real-Estate documents). The word “record” here has several legal meaning. However, for this purpose, we are concentrating on Real-estate records. These are the states that are called, “Judicial Foreclosure States.” As a result of this process, there is a clear and concise record of if a foreclosure is file, when, where… You will know then if you want to hand out your money.
In other “NON” Judicial Foreclosure States, it is a little more difficult for you to find. The only way you will know is: call the newspaper of County/parish that the property is located. In the Non-Judicial States, an AD MUST RUN for a time frame (generally four weeks/Sunday, or a specific day-based upon what the state law allows). By calling the newspaper and asking to speak with someone in the LEGAL advertising section/department, you will be able to find out if any Ad ran. You must also understand that sometime, I would call and double check as some CS associate may not feel like checking; therefore, may give you the incorrect information. So you have to call a couple of times to check and see if you are getting the correct information.
Any questions? Go to Q & A of www.MasterCreditRepair.net, read and post. Go to the “Comment” page and post your story or comment. Your name and info is protected.
Thanks
Mike Samadi
Tags: Money ID Theft Scam Fraud Credit Credit Repair Credit Card Credit Sc
