Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office cautioned homeowners Monday of an increase in reports of scams targeting homeowners attempting to save their homes from foreclosure.

Some of these solicitations are from Massachusetts persons or entities, others originate in other states but seek to prey upon Massachusetts homeowners, according to the attorney general.  

These scams take many forms; in one iteration, an individual will persuade a distressed homeowner to transfer the property title to a third party in order to avoid foreclosure. In another, individuals or businesses will illegally solicit the payment of advance fees for loan modifications or other foreclosure avoidance services, which is in violation of the attorney general’s regulations.  

The attorney general also warned the public of misleading advertisements that promise false success rates to help consumers avoid foreclosure or obtain a loan modification. Some of these advertisements have come from companies claiming to be affiliated with the government or a bank, when in fact that is not the case.