SEATTLE -- The tight economy is paving the way for real estate scammers who target homes that are facing foreclosure.

Now state and local regulators have a new way to help you fight back. And once you see it, you'll wonder why no one thought of it sooner.

It's a piece of paper in your mailbox -- and regulators hope the way it gets there, will mean the difference between facing foreclosure, and falling for fraud.

When the Problem Solvers intervened to help Betsy Bolt and her husband a year ago, they were being evicted from their home in Bothell.

They'd fallen for a scheme that promised help them save their home. The foreclosure rescue promoters came to them.

"I guess it's just a matter of public record when you're going into foreclosure," said Betsy.

David Israel got taken in by the same foreclosure rescue scheme.

"I started getting people coming to my house saying, 'We can help you with foreclosure,' " he said. "Because once your house goes in foreclosure, it goes on the Internet."

Pending foreclosure listings are a matter of public record. Anyone can get the information through your county property tax division. That's how scammers find vulnerable homeowners desperate for help.

Now, the State Attorney General is taking a cue from the scammers, using public records to reach homeowners before they become targets.

Starting this month, homeowners facing foreclosure will get a letter warning about foreclosure rescue scams.

The letters will highlight warning signs and share horror stories from people who've lost their homes through a foreclosure rescue scheme.

Some 14,000 letters went out this week to homeowners who missed mortgage payments.

Many county treasurers will start including scam warnings when they mail certified foreclosure notices to people who haven't paid property taxes.

If you're in a distressed situation with your home, just say no to any offers that claim they can help save your house.

Instead, contact an approved housing counselor, and check the Attorney General's website to learn about your rights and your options.

Read the letter:

www.atg.wa.gov

More about foreclosure rescue scams

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