DAYTONA BEACH -- Scams are on the rise because more people are looking for help, and scam artists will gladly take people's money.
Patricia Kearney fell victim to such a scam. She and her husband needed money to pay their mortgage and bills.
A lender inflated the appraisal of her home, telling her to take out a mortgage at that inflated price.
"And the guy said that he, ‘Oh I'm a lender and all I could, you know, I could take care of you and you'll pay the 2 percent and all.’ I said ‘I wish you could come over here and show me in person.’ But he didn't," Kearney said.
The mortgage increased to an amount that was beyond Kearney and her husband's reach.
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida is a nonprofit organization who has stepped in to help the Kearneys by reducing the mortgage. Their legal advice is free.
Sadly, Kearney's husband could not take the pressure of all the debts and died last year.
Community Legal Services helps low income families and the elderly from scams like this one and others for free.
The group shared the top 6 scams you should avoid with News 13.
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