Predatory
lending strips borrowers of home equity and threatens families with
foreclosure. Often borrowers are tricked into accepting unfair loan
terms, usually through aggressive sales tactics. Often they are
taken advantage of because of their lack of understanding of terms
and involvement in complicated transactions. Even more informed
consumers are occasionally fooled. Anecdotal information suggests
predatory lending is concentrated in poor and minority communities,
where better loans are not readily available. Signals of predatory
lending practices include, but are not limited to:
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Aggressive and deceptive marketing
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Making loans without ample consideration to the borrower's ability
to pay
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Financing excessive fees into loans
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Charging higher interest rates than a borrower's credit allows
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Home improvement scams
Among
the factors that contribute to predatory lending are the steering
of minorities toward the subprime market, even when they qualify
for prime loans with better terms, an inadequate number of mainstream
lending institutions in minority neighborhoods, and a general lack
of information in minority communities about available mortgage
products.
Many
consumers have already fallen prey to these lenders. Read more about
HUD research and reports on predatory
lending.
HUD
is taking an active role in curbing predatory lending practices.
This includes strategies to: 1) Improve consumer literacy and disclosures;
2) Prohibit harmful sales practices in the mortgage market; 3) Restrict
abusive terms and conditions on high cost loans; 4) Improve market
structure. Learn more about HUD's efforts to curb
predatory lending.
Discrimination
in mortgage lending is prohibited by the federal Fair Housing Act
and HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity actively
enforces those provisions of the law. If you feel you your rights
have been violated, the Housing
Discrimination Complaint Form is available for you to download,
complete and return, or complete online and submit, or you may write
HUD a letter, or call the HUD Office nearest you. You have one year
after an incident to file a complaint with HUD, but you should file
it as soon as possible.
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