Identity Theft Warning
The phone rings. On the other end, someone claims to be calling from your bank, telling you that a sale date has been scheduled on your home for next week, or the week after.
But, they say, you can stop this if you submit an application for a loan modification. All you need to do is give them your latest paystubs, income tax returns… you get the idea.
Funny thing is… when you check with the clerk, there’s no sale date at all. It’s a complete lie. So who’s making these calls?
That’s what I, and some other lawyers I know, wonder when our clients tell us about the calls. Not every homeowner in foreclosure is lucky enough to have a lawyer or the savvy to check what their real sale date is. A large number of these folks will not even think to question whether it’s really their bank on the other end of the phone line.
And far too many will be willing to surrender their private financial information to someone on the other end of the line, without knowing who it really is.
How to Stop Identity Theft
If you’re in Florida, it’s easy to check whether your home is scheduled for sale – just call the Clerk of Court. If you’re anywhere else, check with the relevant authority. But beyond that, do not – under any circumstances – send private financial data to anyone who claims to be from your bank unless you are absolutely, 100% positive that they are who they say they are. If you’re not sure, ask them for a street address, not a P.O. box, to mail your information to. And then get online and check out that address.
Be safe out there.
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