Via Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan

Are you struggling to pay your mortgage?  Are you in foreclosure?  Here's what you should do.

First:
Reach out for help now!  Free help is just a phone call away.

• Call the Illinois Attorney General's Homeowner Helpline at 1-866-544-7151 for referrals to housing counselors to receive FREE help.  Attorney General staff will discuss your options with you. You can also find a list of housing counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) who will help you for FREE at the Illinois Attorney General's website: www.IllnioisAttorneyGeneral.gov.
• You can also call the national Hope for Homeowners hotline at 1-888-966-HOPE for free advice on programs that are offered by lenders if you are behind on your mortgage.
• Find out how President Obama's new plan to save homes can help you by visiting this website: www.makinghomesaffordable.gov.

Second:
Gather up your financial information.

• Be prepared to discuss your current income. It will help if you have your last two pay stubs available.
• Know all your current expenses.
• Be prepared to explain why you are behind on your mortgage payments.

Third:
Beware of mortgage rescue scams.

• Beware of companies that promise they can save your home but demand upfront payments for these services.
• Free help is available.
• Call the Illinois Attorney General's Homeowner Helpline at 1-866-544-7151.
• Don't send your mortgage payments to anyone but your lender.