The mortgage crisis has sent millions of homeowners in search of ways to modify their mortgage obligations. Unfortunately, it has also provided a breeding ground for companies bilking distressed homeowners for thousands of dollars in fees for services often available for free. Worse yet, many scam artists simply disappear after collecting their upfront fees from homeowners desperate to prevent foreclosure.

http://commonlaw.findlaw.com/2009/01/mortgage-loan-modification-scams-on-the-rise.html