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Bogus Federal Refund Tracer Jobs
The Set-Up: A Typical Federal Tracer Ad: “A Government related home-based income program has been introduced to the general public. This is a work-at-home opportunity in which you can earn thousands of dollars per month working part time. This program is called The U.S. Government Refund Tracer Program. You will be assisting the Federal Government by processing mortgage refunds. No experience is necessary!”
The Scam: One Tracer Scam charges $39.50 plus $3.50 for S&H. For your fee, you will receive a training manual and instructions on finding HUD refund recipients. You will earn money by contacting these recipients and then charging a fee to obtain the refund for them, a practice which is prohibited by the Federal Government. Furthermore, newcomers to this line of work usually lack access to information needed to succeed in the business. It is illegal for a tracer to tell a homebuyer that a fee is required in order to get a refund.
The Cold Hard Truth: It is true that HUD refunds are owed to homebuyers for upfront mortgage insurance fees they paid to the FHA. HUD attempts to contact homeowners who are due refunds through a series of mailings. After two years, HUD is required to release, under the Freedom of Information Act, the names of all homebuyers who have not collected refunds. When tracers obtain names of homebuyers they can target them with phone calls and letters demanding payment in return for information about refunds. HUD and the FTC have taken action against companies and individuals (tracers) that charge fees.
FTC and HUD officials have identified 330 web sites, news group postings, and bulk e-mail messages that made questionable earnings claims, sold Tracer How-To programs or purported to be affiliated with the federal government. They warn all individuals to avoid paying fees for tracer training materials. If you encounter a tracer scam, report it to: http://www.hud.gov/trace.html
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel: SOHO Jobs does not tolerate scams, tricks, misleading opportunities or any other solicitations made by the pond scum who are only after your money and not your skills. Contact our Scram Scams! division before sending any fees to a work-at-home opportunity. If the company is legit, we will let you know. If not, we will feature them in our weekly newsletter for all subscribers to see and avoid.
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