(Las Vegas, NV) — A handful of victims of a mortgage loan modification scam saw the sun shine a little brighter today.  Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto handed out restitution checks to 12 families Wednesday totaling over $43 thousand dollars.

A company called “Save Your House” ran a supposed loan modification business and foreclosure defense firm.  The company would ask people inquiring about the service to pay three thousand dollars, but never follow through with any help to the homewoners.

Cortez Masto said in a press conference at the Grant Sawyer Building that her office would not have been able to prosecute Jesus Baca, Ramon Dy-Ragos and Luis Baca if it weren’t for the victims coming forward.

Cortez Masto also said that there are five red-flags that the public should be aware of when thinking about refinancing a home.

1-A company cannot legally “guarantee’ they can refinance your home.

2-A company may not ask a homeowner to pay a fee of any amount.

3-If a company tells a homeowner to stop paying a mortgage, that company is not legitimate.

4-If asked by a company to sign over the deed to a home, beware of a scam.

5-If a company says the loan is government approved, that is false. No compnay can say a loan is government approved

If you or someone you know believes a scam may be happening, call the Attorney General’s office or the Better Business Bureau.