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With the nation battling growing repo house listings in almost every state, it is not surprising that state officials are turning to mortgage lenders and promoting legislation that will encourage, if not force, these lenders to work things out with their troubled borrowers.

In Indiana, for instance, there is a new state legislation that requires mortgage lenders to contact their delinquent borrowers and notify them that they have the right to a settlement conference, if they request it. This request should be made within a month after the foreclosure notice has been filed in the court.

Such legislation will allow the homeowners a chance to work with their lenders in trying to prevent their homes from ending up in repo house listings. Options such as loan modification can be discussed which could make the monthly mortgage payments more manageable especially for homeowners who lost their jobs or are experiencing financial difficulties due to the current economic crisis.

Distressed homeowners can even enter into a short sale agreement with their lenders that will allow them to sell their homes at an amount that is less than what they owe. All these foreclosure alternatives should be explored if the lender is really willing to help curb the state?s growing repo house listings.

In addition to the new state legislation, Indiana officials have trained over 700 mediators and attorneys in the local foreclosure process so that distressed borrowers can be helped properly. For those who will end up in court, lawyers can also be provided for their defence.

Attorney General Greg Zoeller also said that there is currently a concerted effort being made by every branch of the state government to ensure that repo house listings are contained. If this is accomplished, adverse impact of the foreclosure crisis on the community will be minimized in addition to saving thousands of homeowners from losing their homes.

According to a report released by a real estate firm, Indiana currently ranks13th place in the list of states with the highest foreclosures from January to June of this year.

In Indiana, the Attorney General has decided to file a court injunction against foreclosure rescue company National Foreclosure Consultants as response to the growing number of complaints that the state has received. It would seem that the company’s foreclosure consultants are engaged in activities that violate several state laws that aim to protect consumers.

These laws include the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, Mortgage Rescue Protection Fraud Act and the Credit Services Organization Act.

Based on its investigation, the Office of the Attorney General discovered how a foreclosure consultant convinced a distressed homeowner to pay a certain amount in upfront fees to stop foreclosure immediately. After the homeowner agreed to do so, a contract was signed. The said contract did not contain statements which are required by Indiana law to protect consumer rights.

When the foreclosure proceeded, the troubled homeowner decided to terminate the contract and ask the foreclosure consultant for a refund considering that the latter was not able to fulfill the services promised. Unfortunately, the foreclosure consultant did not see this as a valid reason and refused to refund the upfront fee.

For the state, this is a clear violation of consumer rights. Aside from asking the court for an injunction, it also seeks penalties amounting to $5,500 per violation as well as refund of the upfront fee.

It is certainly disheartening to know that there are still many individuals who are taking advantage of these unfortunate homeowners. Nationwide, foreclosure ? related scams are on the rise as the problems in the housing and credit industries deepen.

Government officials and housing advocates have repeatedly warned troubled borrowers to stay away from suspicious individuals, offering them quick and simple answers to their mortgage problems. But due to desperation and lack of knowledge, many homeowners still fall victim to these fraudulent activities.