Pocono News Section

I-Team: Foreclosure Rescue Scammer

I-Team: Foreclosure Rescue Scammer - Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 6:05PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 @ 06:05pm EST
TUNKHANNOCK, WYOMING COUNTY -- The I-Team is also tracking a convicted felon who may have struck again. Investigators say she's preying on people who are about to lose their homes to foreclosure. Consumer and I-Team reporter Jeff Chirico is here with a story you'll only see on Eyewitness News.

Mortgage modification companies promise to renegotiate your loan to save Your home. But not all are looking out for your best interests. Tonight one scammer's victim speaks out so you won't be ripped off too.

Shirley Gail Matthews of New Jersey is facing big trouble in Pennsylvania. Gary Hackling says “I want my money back and I want her to go to jail." Gary Hackling of Tunkhannock says Matthews promised to help save his home from foreclosure. She owned Uoninc --a loan modification company in Pittston. "She was contacting the mortgage company and I was sending her payments" But he says Matthews never renegotiated the loan then took off with his 9000 dollars.

George Skumanick, the district attorney in Wyoming County says "When we are in tough economic times people will prey on those who are in trouble" Skumanick plans to file theft by deception charges against Matthews. She's been convicted in Monroe County and New Jersey for similar scams.

Gary later learned he doesn't have to pay anyone to renegotiate his mortgage. There are organizations approved by the government who do it for free. Jesse Ergott runs one of those agencies -- Neighborhood Housing Services of Lackawanna County. He says homeowners should be wary if companies guarantee to stop the foreclosure process or ask for an upfront fee. "Anytime a company asks you to sign over documents or make mortgage payments to them, that's a big red flag."

Gary has since renegotiated his mortgage to save his home but still can't believe he was had. I have no words for her. Somebody that would do that to other people.

We called Matthews but she hung up on us once we asked her about Gary. She is set to be sentenced in Monroe County next month and could get jail time.