- Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan (HASP)
- "Stopping the Foreclosure Crisis" a Message from the Attorney General
- Tips and Steps to Resolve Mortgage Difficulties
- Avoid Foreclosure Scams
- Countrywide Customers
- Related News/Information
- File a Complaint
- Resources and Workshops
Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan (HASP)
The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan (HASP) announced recently by President Obama will provide relief for many Arizona families at risk of foreclosure. The details and guidelines can be found at FinancialStability.gov.
Borrowers can get basic information about eligibility through the self-assessment tools provided at, MakingHomeAffordable.gov, and also by reviewing Questions & Answers (en español) designed to help homeowners determine if they might be eligible for modification assistance.
Borrowers who are delinquent and have not yet been in contact with their lender should call their servicer or a HUD-approved housing counselor immediately. There is no fee to borrowers for assistance. The list of Arizona counseling agencies can be found at www.hud.gov. Homeowners should beware of any organization that attempts to charge a fee for housing counseling or modification of a delinquent loan.
In addition, you should be cautious before you agree to any proposal that promises to save you from foreclosure because often times these proposals result in the loss of your equity as well as your home.
If you believe you are a victim of a mortgage rescue scam or a consumer fraud, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office or call Consumer Information and Complaints Unit at 602.542.5763 (Phoenix); 520.628.6504 (Tucson) and toll free outside of metro Phoenix and Tucson areas 800.352.8431.
Message from the Attorney General 
- "Stopping the Foreclosure Crisis"
Tips and Steps to Resolve Mortgage Difficulties
(Source US Housing and Urban Development) (en
español)
Are you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Have you received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them?
- Don't ignore the letters from your lender
- Contact your lender immediately
- Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Helpline
- Toll FREE 877.448.1211
- Contact a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency
- Toll FREE 800.569.4287
- TTY 800.877.8339
If you are unable to make your mortgage payment:
1. Don't ignore the problem.
The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your house.
2. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem.
Lenders do not want your house. They have options to help borrowers through difficult financial times.
3. Open and respond to all mail from your lender.
The first notices you receive will offer good information about foreclosure prevention options that can help you weather financial problems. Later mail may include important notice of pending legal action. Your failure to open the mail will not be an excuse in foreclosure court.
4. Know your mortgage rights.
Find your loan documents and read them so you know what your lender may do if you can't make your payments. Learn about the foreclosure laws and timeframes in your state (as every state is different) by contacting the State Government Housing Office.
5. Understand foreclosure prevention options.
Valuable information about foreclosure prevention (also called loss mitigation) options can be found on the Internet.
6. Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds free or very low cost housing counseling nationwide. Housing counselors can help you understand the law and your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender if you need this assistance. Find a HUD-approved housing counselor near you or call 800.569.4287 or TTY 800.877.8339.
7. Prioritize your spending.
After healthcare, keeping your house should be your first priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payment. Look for optional expenses -- cable TV, memberships, entertainment-that you can eliminate. Delay payments on credit cards and other "unsecured" debt until you have paid your mortgage.
8. Use your assets.
Do you have assets-a second car, jewelry, a whole life insurance policy -- that you can sell for cash to help reinstate your loan? Can anyone in your household get an extra job to bring in additional income? Even if these efforts don't significantly increase your available cash or your income, they demonstrate to your lender that you are willing to make sacrifices to keep your home.
9. Avoid foreclosure prevention companies.
You don't need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help -- use that money to pay the mortgage instead. Many for-profit companies will contact you promising to negotiate with your lender. While these may be legitimate businesses, they will charge you a hefty fee (often two or three months mortgage payment) for information and services your lender or a HUD approved housing counselor will provide free if you contact them.
Don't lose your home to a foreclosure or loan modification scam!
The Attorney General invites you to check out these tips and suggestions in a "new" brochure, Avoiding Loan Modification and Foreclosure Scams.
For additional information and resources on avoiding "rescue" scams, please check below:
- Foreclosure Rescue Scams: another Potential Stress for Homeowners in Distress (FTC)
- OCC Consumer Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Rescue Scams
If any firm claims it can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and become a renter in your own home! Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms and getting professional advice from an attorney, a trusted real estate professional, or a HUD approved housing counselor.
Resources and Workshops 
Foreclosure prevention workshops are free -- learn about your options and meet with a counselor.
| Date / Time | Event / Location |
| Please check back for future events |
Consumer Information
"Making Home Affordable"– find out if you are eligible to refinance or modify your loan under this program
Does Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac own your mortgage?
U. S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development – find FREE counseling help and a list of HUD-certified counseling agencies
"Lawyers Helping Homeowners" – find legal help
Arizona Homebuyer Bill of Rights – available from the Arizona Department of Real Estate
Federal Reserve Bank – mortgage information and resource tools
Foreclosure Prevention – Information and Resources
Avoiding Loan Modification and Foreclosure Scams – tips and information from Attorney General Goddard
Foreclosure Prevention Help-Line – call for FREE counseling help – 877.448.1211
Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force
City of Phoenix Foreclosure Library
OCC Consumer Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Scams
Federal Trade Commission – facts and tips on foreclosure “rescue” scams
Don’t Borrow Trouble – find resources and education materials in Pima County
If You Suspect a Scam, Contact:
Arizona Attorney General’s Office
Arizona Dept. of Financial Institutions
Better Business Bureau
Federal Trade Commission
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Behind on your mortgage payments or facing foreclosure? FREE counseling service is available via the Arizona Foreclosure Help-Line. For a list of participating counseling agencies click here. For more information please visit the Arizona Department of Housing. www.azhousing.gov 877.448.1211 |
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The Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force was established to reduce residential foreclosures in Arizona and the impact of foreclosure on families and communities. www.arizonaforeclosuretaskforce.com |
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The US Department of Housing and Urban Development provides tips and steps to avoid foreclosure and to resolve mortgage difficulties.
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 Arizona Department of Financial Institutions |
If you think you are a victim of a foreclosure rescue scam, you should fill out and sign a formal written complaint with the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). |
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The "Lawyers Helping Homeowners" program calls upon volunteer lawyers to assist homeowners in working with their lenders. This initiative is coordinated by the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Foundation for Law Related Education, and the Arizona Supreme Court. |
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Whether you're in foreclosure now or worried about it in the future, the City of Phoenix has information that can help. Check out the Foreclosure Handout Library. |
Attorney General Terry Goddard and Countrywide Financial Corporation entered into a Consent Judgment that was filed in the Maricopa Superior Court on March 13, 2009.
Countrywide customers looking for information about the loan modification program can call Countrywide, toll-free, at 800.669.6607 or go to Countrywide’s Web site, www.countrywide.comCountrywide Consent Judgment
(Click here for a PDF of the Consent Judgment)
Countrywide Consent Judgment/Settlement FAQ's
| 10/6/2008 | Attorney General Terry Goddard says the settlement can help more than 13,000 Arizonans avoid foreclosure |
| 9/29/2008 | Foreclosure Prevention Efforts Declining and “Disappointing” (Report) |
| 2/8/2008 | Terry Goddard Says Mortgage Industry Needs to Do More to Reduce Home Foreclosures |
If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you should first contact the company in writing and specifically request the relief that you feel is appropriate. You may also file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office.
| Phoenix | Tucson |
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL |
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL |