JPMorgan Chase instructed homeowners to stop making mortgage payments, as that was the only way to be considered for a loan modification, then repossessed their house when they followed the bank’s advice, a couple claims in Federal Court. “I’ve seen this happen to so many people,” their attorney said. “When they come in here to tell me their story, I can actually tell it to them.”

‘Please tell people not to give up,” pleads Judge Annette Rizzo, one of the architects of a pioneering Philadelphia program to reduce foreclosures. “You have to keep trying. It all depends on your persistence.”

Attorneys cannot hide behind an honest mistake should they violate federal debt-collection laws when chasing down debt, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

“There will also be claims for rescission of these transactions,” he added. “There is a class action against lenders and foreclosing attorneys which could encompass many millions in potential damages.”

Sometimes it will not work to try to keep your home for a variety of reasons. So when we found Marcie Geffner’s article “Alternatives to Foreclosure” on bankrate.com,” it seemed appropriate to include here.