RIP-OFF ALERT: Have you seen those little signs on the side of the road that say, "Facing Foreclosure? Call Now!"

People who are in financial difficulty with their home are being hit by scamsters holding out the possibility of foreclosure rescue. But beware: They'll either strip the equity out of your home or charge you several thousand dollars in upfront fees.

The bubble states have been hit the hardest by foreclosure rescue scams. The Orlando Sentinel reports there are 40 outfits being investigated in Florida for violation of a new anti-fraud law.

Under the Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act, fines are $10,000 per incident. If it involves a senior citizen, it's $15,000 per incident.

That's all well and good, but Clark thinks a criminal statute would have been better!

Please note that these scamsters have very professional presentations and their employees know the lingo of the industry. One outfit in the Sentinel article even went so far as to put all its employees in 3-piece suits!

If you are upside down in your house, you need to speak to a housing counselor. Visit NFCC.org to find one near you.