March 1, 2013
***National Consumer Protection Week Consumer Alert***
AG Masto Encourages Nevadans to Seek Mortgage Assistance through Home Again
Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Attorney General (AG) Catherine Cortez Masto and the Bureau of Consumer Protection are joining with Nevada based HUD-approved housing counseling and legal aid agencies to celebrate National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 3-9, 2013.
As part of the 15th annual NCPW Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto is urging homeowners to seek assistance through Home Again Nevada Homeowner Relief Program, a consortium of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies and legal service agencies to learn about accessing housing assistance.
Home Again is a partnership between the AG’s office, Financial Guidance Center (FGC), Nevada Legal Services (NLS), and Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Participating HUD-approved agencies in the program include: FGC, NLS, Housing for Nevada, Women’s Development Center, Community Services of Nevada, Neighborhood Housing Service, Novadebt, Springboard, and Chicanos Por La Causa.
Daily consumer alerts will be issued and two events will be held during National Consumer Protection Week to address various aspects of the housing and financial crisis.
Below is the schedule of events and consumer alerts that will be released in connection with NCPW:
- Monday, March 4: Scams – The AG’s Office will release the top 10 consumer complaints of 2012 and tips on how you can avoid becoming a victim. NLS will host a Foreclosure Information Clinic in its Reno office (204 Marsh Ave. on the 3rd Floor) from 3- 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 5: Home Again Telethon – HUD counseling agencies will host a housing telethon from 4-6:30 p.m. on KLAS TV CBS 8. Viewers can find out more about available assistance during telethon hours by calling 702.650.1101. Viewers who are unable to participate during this time are encouraged to call 1-855-HLP-4-NEV (1-855-457-4638) before or after the telethon.
- Wednesday, March 6:Financial Literacy Tips – FGC will provide helpful tips regarding mortgage payment options, budgeting, credit reporting, and asset development.
- Thursday, March 7: Legal Services – Legal Aid Center will describe free legal services available to homeowners who need assistance in Southern Nevada. NLS will host a Foreclosure Information Clinic in its Las Vegas office (530 S. 6th St.) from 3-4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 9: Home Again Presentation – State Assemblyman Elliott Anderson will host a community event about Home Again from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Winchester Community Center, 3130 McLeod Dr., Las Vegas. Attendees must RSVP by calling 702-992-0831.
Background on Home Again:
Home Again is a program launched in January that makes it easier for Nevada homeowners to determine what state or federal assistance may be available to them with a single “one-stop,” free resource. Initiated by AG Masto, the Home Again Nevada Homeowner Relief Program is designed for:
- Homeowners seeking loan modification
- Borrowers who are current, but “underwater”
- Those who have lost their homes to foreclosure
- Households working toward home ownership
The no-fee service is available for all Nevadans simply by calling toll-free 1-855-HLP-4-NEV (1-855-457-4638) with both English and Spanish-speaking assistance available. The call center is open 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information is also available at HomeAgainNevada.gov.
The Home Again program originates from an unprecedented multistate lawsuit, in which Nevada joined 48 states in a $25 billion federal-state settlement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers over foreclosure abuses and unacceptable nationwide mortgage servicing practices.
This consumer alert is part of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 3-9, 2013. Starting Monday, March 4 and running through Friday, March 8, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office will issue daily consumer alerts relevant to Nevadans.
More information about NCPW is also available at ncpw.gov. Consumer Protection information can also be found on the Attorney General’s website (ag.nv.gov), and the Federal Trade Commission’s website (ftc.gov).
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