{"id":5664,"date":"2024-01-02T19:16:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T23:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/?p=5664"},"modified":"2026-03-17T11:25:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:25:48","slug":"this-is-how-to-catch-foreclosure-rescue-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/this-is-how-to-catch-foreclosure-rescue-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"This is How to Catch Foreclosure Rescue Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Recognizing <strong>foreclosure rescue scams florida<\/strong> investors and homeowners encounter requires understanding both how these schemes target distressed owners and how the fraudulent transactions they generate can contaminate title chains on properties you may later want to acquire.<\/p>\n<p>Recognizing <strong>foreclosure rescue scams in Florida<\/strong> before they affect your deals requires understanding both how these schemes target distressed homeowners and how the fraudulent transactions they generate can contaminate title chains on properties you may later want to acquire.<\/p>\n\n<p>Real estate can generate high yields as an investment and provide stability for homeowners. Many people aspire to buy a home, but some people fall behind on <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/how-to-invest-based-on-2024-mortgage-rate-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"mortgage payments (opens in a new tab)\">mortgage payments<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Falling behind on mortgage payments can increase a person\u2019s stress and put them at risk of scammers. <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/watch-out-for-these-florida-real-estate-scams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Scammers (opens in a new tab)\">Scammers<\/a> can get heartless and exploit people during their darkest and most vulnerable moments. A recent large-scale foreclosure rescue scam in the Southern District of Ohio demonstrates the risks and why people must stay alert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding what took place in the Buckner operation can help homeowners become less susceptible to scams and discover the warning signs in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>While it\u2019s obvious that homeowners don\u2019t want foreclosures, it\u2019s good to remember that lenders don\u2019t want a foreclosure either.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In this Article:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/this-is-how-to-catch-foreclosure-rescue-scams\/#What_Happened_in_Ohio\" >What Happened in Ohio?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/this-is-how-to-catch-foreclosure-rescue-scams\/#How_the_Scheme_Operated\" >How the Scheme Operated<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/this-is-how-to-catch-foreclosure-rescue-scams\/#Warning_Signs_of_the_Scheme\" >Warning Signs of the Scheme<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/this-is-how-to-catch-foreclosure-rescue-scams\/#Getting_Out_of_Foreclosure\" >Getting Out of Foreclosure<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Happened_in_Ohio\"><\/span>What Happened in Ohio?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rising inflation has affected many parts of the country, making it more <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/2023-foreclosures-are-up-rising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"difficult for people to afford their homes (opens in a new tab)\">difficult for people to afford their homes<\/a>. While the cost of living has gotten more challenging in recent years, it has never been easy for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From 2013 to 2018, a scammer by the name of Lorin Kal Buckner defrauded at least 780 financially distressed homeowners throughout the United States.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ohio was the epicenter of this fraud, as over 100 individuals in the Southern District of Ohio lost their homes. Buckner will face 10 years in prison. Ten co-conspirators were also charged in the scheme.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_the_Scheme_Operated\"><\/span>How the Scheme Operated<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Buckner created multiple fraudulent companies to hide his tracks and deceive hundreds of homeowners. His entities were MVP Home Solutions, LLC, Bolden Pinnacle Group Corp., and Silverstein &amp; Wolf Corp. The first two LLCs on this list operated under multiple names, making it more difficult to untangle the web.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buckner and his co-conspirators recruited affiliates who searched databases for financially distressed homes. They reached out to homeowners and pitched Buckner\u2019s companies. In the marketing copy, Buckner assured homeowners that he could stop their foreclosures and save people\u2019s homes. Affiliates received commissions for promoting the scheme.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/fraudstoppers.org\/mvp-home-solutions-llc-accused-of-foreclosure-rescue-fraud\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Service prices<\/a>&nbsp;ranged from $995 to $1,625 per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through his companies, Buckner promised to perform various services, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Negotiate with lenders on behalf of homeowners.<\/li><li>Remove mortgage liens with tender offers.<\/li><li>Negotiate a home sale to avoid foreclosure.<\/li><li>Stop an immediate foreclosure.<\/li><li>Achieve short sale prices at a fraction of the outstanding lien\u2019s value.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Buckner had many individuals file Chapter 13 bankruptcies, a process that delays foreclosures. He informed victims that filing Chapter 13 bankruptcies can shield them entirely from foreclosure. Bucker never listed himself as a preparer of any bankruptcy filings and listed the victims\u2019&nbsp;names instead. This approach made it easier for Buckner to conceal his operation and stay under the radar.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If a company does not have an online presence or reviews, it can be a bad sign. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Warning_Signs_of_the_Scheme\"><\/span>Warning Signs of the Scheme<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easy to highlight a scheme once it has already been unfolded, but what about schemes happening right now? Homes are getting more expensive, and interest <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/how-interest-rates-really-affect-investing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"rates (opens in a new tab)\">rates<\/a> are rising. This creates the optimal environment for future scammers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This foreclosure rescue scam targeted financially vulnerable people. These scammers take advantage of people\u2019s stress and lack of expertise in legal matters. When you make any important decision, assess your thought process. If you feel stressed or pressured by the seller, you may want to pause a bit and do more research before making a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buckner and his company encouraged affiliates to use aggressive sales tactics to convert more homeowners into clients. These tactics show that a seller cares far more about receiving a commission than helping a victim get out of foreclosure. People\u2019s internal interests do not always align with what they say. Aggressive selling is a common tactic among scammers, and it serves as a warning sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When determining if an offer is a scam or legitimate, consider how legitimate businesses operate is important. Many businesses have an online presence and let customers leave reviews on sites like Yelp and Google. If a company does not have an online presence or reviews, it can be a bad sign. Legitimate businesses often point to case studies and give customers an easy way to verify the truth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many scammers request wire transfers, just as Buckner wanted from his victims. Wire transfers are harder to get back than other types of transfers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Foreclosure is stressful, but you must stay sharp when someone promises to provide a quick solution that sounds too good to be true.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_Out_of_Foreclosure\"><\/span>Getting Out of Foreclosure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Homeowners and investors buy properties hoping they will never have to worry about foreclosure. Rules vary by state, but the foreclosure process can start if you miss four consecutive monthly mortgage payments. The proceedings can take over a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it\u2019s obvious that homeowners don\u2019t want foreclosures, it\u2019s good to remember that lenders don\u2019t want a foreclosure either. A foreclosure puts the lender in the hole, and some lenders try to work with borrowers to avoid that scenario. You can negotiate with your lender to see what it would take to avoid a foreclosure. Resuming your mortgage loan payments can be a good start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People go into foreclosure because of their finances. They don\u2019t have enough money to cover mortgage payments due to a loss of income, rising cost of living, medical expenses, and other reasons.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tapping into side hustles and income growth opportunities is the best protection against <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/with-limited-real-estate-inventory-in-florida-foreclosure-sale-investors-need-to-make-smarter-plays\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"foreclosure (opens in a new tab)\">foreclosure<\/a>. Working more hours can make a difference, but developing skills that offer higher salaries can make a more meaningful difference.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Requesting a mortgage forbearance and getting approved can give you time to generate and save extra income. A forbearance gives you a temporary break from mortgage payments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also extend your loan\u2019s duration to minimize the monthly payments by refinancing it. However, borrowers should consider interest rates and fees, especially the former. Refinancing could result in a more expensive loan if you secured a lower interest rate for your previous loan, but adding a significant number of additional years to your loan can make it more manageable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The right professionals can offer assistance and give you suggestions. Not everyone is unethical like Buckner. Do your research and think it over before letting a salesperson or business owner cajole or persuade you. You can simplify your research by reaching out to a HUD-approved counseling agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can\u2019t make the payments, you can exit your home through a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. A short sale takes place when a homeowner sells their property for less than the market price to get a quick sale. The homeowner can use these proceeds to pay off the loan. Some banks will forgive the loan even if the proceeds from a short sale are less than the loan\u2019s remaining balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A deed in lieu of foreclosure allows you to hand off the deed of your house to the bank and free yourself from the mortgage. However, you will be giving the bank ownership of your home. It\u2019s the last resort for avoiding foreclosure proceedings if you know you won\u2019t be able to keep your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Foreclosure is stressful, but you must stay sharp when someone promises to provide a quick solution that sounds too good to be true. Scammers make bad problems worse and often prey on society\u2019s most vulnerable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Title fraud is one of the most damaging forms of real estate scam. A complete <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/florida-title-search-101-how-to-uncover-hidden-liens-encumbrances-and-red-flags-before-you-bid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">florida title search<\/a> conducted by an independent title professional is the most reliable way to detect fraudulent conveyances and forged deeds before they become your problem.<\/p><p>Understanding the common <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/common-title-search-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">title search mistakes<\/a> that investors make helps you recognize research gaps that fraudsters specifically exploit to perpetrate title-based schemes against unsuspecting buyers.<\/p><p>Properties affected by title fraud often require a <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/quiet-title-action-what-is-it-how-to-do-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">quiet title action florida<\/a> to untangle the fraudulent ownership chain and legally establish clear title before the property can be sold or financed through legitimate channels.<\/p><p>Investors who encounter fraudulent listings should understand that thorough <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/what-is-due-diligence-in-real-estate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">due diligence real estate<\/a> including in-person property verification and direct contact with county records officials is the only reliable defense against sophisticated fraud.<\/p><p>Understanding how <a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/understanding-foreclosure-laws-in-florida-for-real-estate-investors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">florida foreclosure laws<\/a> work helps investors and homeowners alike recognize when someone is misrepresenting the legal process to manipulate a vulnerable party involved in a distressed property situation.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color:#eef6fd; border-left:5px solid #1a73b8; border-radius:6px; padding:24px 28px; margin:32px 0; font-family:Georgia, serif;\">\n<p style=\"font-size:20px; font-weight:bold; color:#1a3a5c; margin:0 0 10px 0;\">Ready to Find Your Next Florida Foreclosure Deal?<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px; color:#2c4a6e; margin:0 0 14px 0;\">Join <strong>PropertyOnion.com<\/strong> and get complete coverage of every Florida foreclosure and tax deed auction across all counties. Download step-by-step eBook guides written specifically for investors who want to buy smart at county auction sales.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/?&#038;reference_member_id=wpposts45&#038;ref2=wpposts45\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-block; background-color:#1a73b8; color:#ffffff; font-family:Arial, sans-serif; font-size:15px; font-weight:bold; padding:12px 24px; border-radius:4px; text-decoration:none;\">Start Your Free Trial Membership<\/a>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recognizing foreclosure rescue scams florida investors and homeowners encounter requires understanding both how these schemes target distressed owners and how the fraudulent transactions they generate can contaminate title chains on properties you may later want&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":5678,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[808,11,806,807,655,639,805,421,569],"class_list":["post-5664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate-investing-articles","tag-deed-in-lieu","tag-foreclosure","tag-lorin-kale-buckner","tag-mortgage-forbearance","tag-ohio-market","tag-real-estate-scam","tag-rescue","tag-scammers","tag-unethical"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5664"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13415,"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5664\/revisions\/13415"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5678"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propertyonion.com\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}