Many homeowners across Illinois have been affected by the foreclosure crisis. Such a crisis brings all kinds of ads for debt relief and mortgage modification out of the woodwork. A recent news story goes to show just how important it is to make sure you can trust the people you're working with when facing foreclosure.

Unfortunately, many U.S. consumers are drawn into scams by flashy advertising, seemingly low rates and even scare tactics. While we would like to believe that most people are good-intentioned, not everyone is. This is why it is important that homeowners who are looking for debt relief know that there are other options for finding help.

One place to look toward is the federal government. Not long ago, the government set aside nearly $30 billion in funds for foreclosure prevention programs. These programs include the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the U.S. Home Affordable Modification Program. Not only is applying for HAMP free, but consumers can also seek free advice about loan modifications from government-approved housing counselors.

So, how can you tell if someone is trying to scam you on your HAMP mortgage modification? A first sign of trouble is if they charge you to help with the application. As we mentioned above, HAMP is free, so no one should be collecting money from you. Next is to be cautious about guarantees for success. Not all applicants will get a successful modification, so if someone promises success, you might be getting scammed.

Unfortunately, scam artists have taken money from numerous homeowners who just want to get back on track. They have even forced some into foreclosure -- the very thing they were supposedly working to avoid. This is why it is so important to know the signs of a scam. Seeking advice from government and nonprofit counselors or talking to an experienced attorney may be a good start toward finding debt relief.

Source: USA Today, "Mortgage modification scams trap desperate homeowners," Jennifer Dixon, Jan. 7, 2011