Scammers targeting foreclosures

FOREST PARK, Ohio - Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Hartmann says since the economic downturn, the number of scams in Hamilton county has hit an all time high.

"People that are facing foreclosure, there are people out there targeting them," Hartmann said.

In 2010 there were 7,500 reports of fraud in Hamilton County. Commissioners and the Attorney General's office hope to lower that number with public education.

"They're finding people who have already put themselves in a bad spot with their mortgage payments," said Assistant Ohio Attorney General Bart Cosgrove.

Hartmann and Cosgrove spoke to the Forest Park city council Tuesday. They're asking local leaders to help get the word out about the scam.

"Everyone is a potential victim, so this is an aggressive education campaign," Hartmann said.

Officials say scammers can easily find contact information for homeowners in foreclosure. Then they call and offer assistance for a fee.

Red flags for the scam include being asked to wire money. Cosgrove says wired money is much harder to track than a check or credit card payment.

Also be weary of anyone telling you to not contact your bank about their proposal. This could be the sign of a scam.

For more information, or to report a crime, go to the Ohio Attorney General's website at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov.