Facing foreclosure? Beware of offers to modify your mortgage loan. It could be a scam, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services and Department of Justice said in a press release.

“Unfortunately, there are scammers trying to take advantage of the current economic situation and charge consumers unnecessarily,” said Cory Streisinger, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Under the new federal Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, lenders and loan services will have incentives to work directly with borrowers to modify loans and lower payments.”

 Loan modification companies target homeowners in Oregon through fliers, direct mail and phone calls. The companies charge a fee to negotiate a change in the borrower’s loan, such as deferred payments. In some cases, borrowers pay the fees, but don’t receive the service and in other cases they could have gotten the same outcome for free from a nonprofit counselor or by dealing directly with their lender.

 Homeowners who believe they have been taken advantage of by a loan modification company should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office. Contact the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at (877) 877-9392 or online at www.doj.state.or.us. Written complaints can be sent to Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection Section, 1162 Court St. NE, Salem, OR 97301-4096.

 To find a nonprofit foreclosure counselor, go to the Web site at www. cbs.state.or.us/dfcs/ ml/foreclosure/counselors.html or call (800) SAFENET. For more information about the options available under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, go online to  www.financialstability.gov/makinghomeaffordable/index.html.