If you're thinking about a home equity loan, then there is something you need to know before you proceed. In communities across America, people are losing their homes and their investments because of predatory lenders, appraisers, mortgage brokers and home improvement contractors who:

* Sell properties for much more than they are worth using false appraisals.

* Encourage borrowers to lie about their income, expenses, or cash available for downpayments in order to get a loan.

* Knowingly lend more money than a borrower can afford to repay.

* Charge high interest rates to borrowers based on their race or national origin and not on their credit history.

* Pressure borrowers to accept higher-risk loans such as balloon loans, interest only payments, and steep pre-payment penalties.

* Target vulnerable borrowers to cash-out refinances offers when they know borrowers are in need of cash due to medical, unemployment or debt problems.

* "Strip" homeowner's equity from their homes by convincing them to refinance again and again when there is no benefit to the borrower.

* Use high pressure sales tactics to sell home improvements and then finance them at high interest rates.