Saturday, March 29, 2008

Predatory Lending - New Tactics

They're back in my mailbox, but differently styled, and just misleading instead of borderline illegal.

Two came yesterday.
The first on was from Loan Management Services in Oakland, CA

Right at the top it displays an inflated estimated value of my house or what it was probably worth a year ago at the top of the real estate value. Then it goes on to say what my loan is (a public record), and then it asks if I'd like to discuss options for refinancing this loan.

The next one from United Capital Mortgage Solution starts out with Fed Lowers fund rate below 3.0% and says that that congress has approved increasing the loan limits from $417,000 to 729,00. Both of which are completely irrelevant. Then it goes on to say: You may meet the requirements to take part in a government backed 30 year fixed rate mortgage program.

This government program does not require a good credit score to quality and this program may allow you to obtain Cash Out of up to 95% of the value of your home. It goes on to say that I had an adjustable rate loan (I don't) and should call to refinance. This one at least has fine print which basically admits this product or service has not been approved or endorsed by any government agency. Which means all the stuff they told you doesn't apply to what they're proposing.

So it seems as if the tactic is to shove a bunch of true but completely irrelevant but nice sounding information into the promo letter.

No comments: