Mass joinder lawsuits are the latest scam being marketed by phone to Maryland residents and people in at least 16 other states, WMAR-TV reported on September 19, 2011. Both the Better Business Bureau and the federal government’s Internet Crime Complaint Center are warning consumers to protect themselves from these mass joinder offers, which have been asking for as much as $5,000 in cash to join.
Angie Barnett with the BBB of Greater Maryland told WMAR, “This is the quintessential twist on another foreclosure rescue scheme.” Maryland does not allow upfront fees for mortgage services and an IC3 report said that the agency had received “several complaints” and noted, “Lawyers seeking plaintiffs to join a class for a class action lawsuit do not seek up front commission from their class clients.”
Homeowners facing foreclosure can take ill-advised actions out of desperation when facing financial distress. However, you should not worsen an already bad situation by buying into a fraudulent quick fix. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. One of the surest legal ways to consolidate, eliminate or reorganize your debt is to file for Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. While nobody wants to have to enter a Maryland bankruptcy court, Maryland bankruptcy lawyer Kevin D. Judd prides himself on addressing each of your concerns and making certain that you thoroughly understand the Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy process.
