Illinois Woman Charged With Felony Theft In Alleged Loan Modification Scam

In Sherman, Illinois, the The State Journal Register reports:

• A Sherman woman has been arrested in connection with an alleged real estate fraud scheme, including trying to sell property she did not own and conducting a mortgage rescue scam, authorities said. Tamptha S. Hickman, 39, turned herself in to police after a warrant for her arrest on a charge of felony theft was issued Tuesday. She was released from jail after posting $1,000 bail.

***

• Under her company name, police said, Hickman mailed out as many as 500 letters to homeowners who were in the foreclosure process and claimed she could help save their homes at no cost to them. One homeowner who got the letter contacted Hickman, who allegedly told the homeowner that she had contacted the victim’s mortgage company and that if she wrote Hickman a check right away for $3,800, the home would not be foreclosed upon. Hickman then would negotiate a payment plan for the rest of the debt, she allegedly told the woman. The victim gave the check to Hickman and a week later contacted the mortgage company to make sure the payment had been made. It hadn’t been, police said. Authorities believe Hickman pocketed the money.

• The victim never went to authorities about Hickman’s alleged scam, but police found her after going through Hickman’s financial records. “The victim never came forward because she was embarrassed and didn’t know there was anything she could do about it,” Hill said.

For more, see Sherman woman arrested in alleged real estate fraud scheme.