Thinking about Remodeling - Check "Government" Offers The Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. warns homeowners to be aware of misleading home improvement flyers. The flyers appear to come from a government agency. In fact, they are often from out-of-state home improvement companies. The flyers state "We are accepting applications in your neighborhood for the FHA (Federal Housing Authority) Title One Program . . . . Loans guaranteed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) . . . . Federally insured up to $25,000." The flyers also include several official looking government logos. The only reference number on the flyer is a toll-free 800 number that is answered with a recorded message. The FHA and HUD consider such advertising inappropriate because the insurance protects the lender, not the consumer. Consumers receiving flyers or calls claiming to offer home improvements through special government programs should contact the Better Business Bureau in their city, as well as the agencies directly, to verify the offer. | 
