PHOENIX -- A new effort is underway to protect homeowners on the verge of foreclosure.

A growing number of loan modification scams has led to more homeowners getting ripped off, according to Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix.

Annette Santa Cruz, a counselor aid with NHS Phoenix, does her best to help struggling homeowners on the verge of foreclosure, but it isn't easy, especially with so many homeowners giving money to loan modification scam artists.

"They are making a lot of promises they can't keep and always asking for money up front," said Betty Gallegos, a foreclosure counseling manager.

"I got one today that the client paid $1,900, and he waited a whole year," she said. "Nothing got done, and he lost his money."

New statistics show the number of scam artists preying on unsuspecting homeowners facing foreclosure is on the rise in the Valley and across the country, prompting a new scam alert campaign to help homeowners protect themselves.

A new Web site, loanscamalert.com, was just launched to keep homeowners from getting ripped off.

Joe Rich, with the nonprofit group Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, is traveling around the country to spread the word about loan modification scams.

"There's so much free counseling through groups like Neighborworks." said Rich. "Part of what the campaign is, is to let people know that."

Here are six things that will help you spot a loan modification scam:

• If a company asks for a fee in advance.
• Guarantees they can stop a foreclosure.
• Advises you to stop paying your mortgage company and pay them instead.
• Pressures you to sign paperwork.
• Claims to offer a government approved loan
• Someone you don't know asks for personal financial information.