Scam artists follow the headlines, and know there are homeowners falling behind in their mortgage payments or at risk for foreclosure. Their pitches may sound like a way for you to get out from under, but their intentions are as far away from honorable as they can be. They mean to take your money. Among the predatory scams that have been reported are:

The foreclosure prevention specialist: The ?specialist? really is a phony counselor who charges outrageous fees in exchange for making a few phone calls or completing some paperwork that a homeowner could easily do for himself. None of the actions results in saving the home. This scam gives homeowners a false sense of hope, delays them from seeking qualified help, and exposes their personal financial information to a fraudster.

The lease/buy back: Homeowners are deceived into signing over the deed to their home to a scam artist who tells them they will be able to remain in the house as a renter and eventually buy it back. Usually, the terms of this scheme are so demanding that the buy-back becomes impossible, the homeowner gets evicted, and the ?rescuer? walks off with most or all of the equity.

The bait-and-switch: Homeowners think they are signing documents to bring the mortgage current. Instead, they are signing over the deed to their home. Homeowners usually don't know they've been scammed until they get an eviction notice.

Don't fall victim to these vermin that prey on those in need. These guys are the dregs of the earth and try to make money taking advantage of those people in need of help. They attack you when you are at your weakest.

They know that they have the advantage and that you are desperately seeking help. They will make it all sound so good that you will jump at the chance to bail yourself out.

Don't fall for it. Sit back and look at it the next day. Don't make any rash decisions or you may find yourself in a worse situation than you already are.

Do your research and homework. Ask your friends, family and neighbors. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.