Housing scams are growing at a rapid pace. Every day, scam artists prey on unsuspecting homeowners and renters who are facing foreclosure and eviction. Scams have only been exacerbated by the housing and economic insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeowners and renters are losing money and their homes — lured by the promise of help. To combat this issue, NeighborWorks® America has launched a national public education campaign. Stop Home Scams empowers vulnerable homeowners and renters to protect themselves against housing scams, find trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities. Key educational materials have been developed in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin and Vietnamese, to reach diverse audiences. The materials, delivered through digital ads, collateral, social media and more, focus on raising awareness and providing the resources needed for scam reporting and housing support counseling. Together, we will alert thousands of homeowners and renters in hundreds of at-risk communities across the country at a time when they need support.
For more than 40 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a national, nonpartisan nonprofit known as NeighborWorks America, has strived to make every community a place of opportunity. Our network of excellence includes nearly 240 members in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. NeighborWorks America offers grant funding, peer-exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools and access to training, as the nation's leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations provide residents in their communities with affordable homes, owned and rented; financial counseling and coaching; community building through resident engagement; and collaboration in the areas of health, employment and education.
NeighborWorks America is working with a wide network of partners and community-based affiliates, including the Wells Fargo Foundation and the National Fair Housing Alliance, to get at the national and grassroots level to get the word out.