SIGTARP, CFPB, AND TREASURY FORM JOINT TASK FORCE TO COMBAT HAMP MORTGAGE MODIFICATION SCAMS; RELEASE A CONSUMER FRAUD ALERT TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS

WASHINGTON, DC – December 5, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the creation of a joint task force to combat scams targeted at homeowners seeking to apply for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). SIGTARP, the CFPB, and Treasury have partnered to protect taxpayers by investigating and shutting down these scams and by providing education programs to vulnerable homeowners. The joint task force today issued a consumer fraud alert to protect homeowners from HAMP-related mortgage modification scams. The fraud alert will also be provided directly to homeowners eligible for HAMP.