AARP's campaign to fight predatory lending will kick off the week of April 17 in New York and California, and the week of April 24 in Ohio. With the theme "They Didn't Tell Me I Could Lose My House", the 510(c)(4) tax-exempt organization will link advocacy on behalf of older borrowers with a major consumer education initiative. AARP plans to extend the campaign over the year into other states as legislators begin to consider predatory mortgage lending issues.

Predatory lending is a collection of unfair and deceptive practices used by some lenders to pressure homeowners into signing up for high cost and often unaffordable mortgage loans. Frequently older homeowners are ensnared in abusive loans as they look for ways to cover home repairs, cover health costs or to consolidate debts. More than 80 percent of Americans 50 and older are homeowners.

According to AARP associate executive director Dawn Sweeney, "There is ample evidence - starting with dozens of interviews that we have had in recent months with victims of abusive lenders - that people are sold loans as a miracle financial cure. Many homeowners are then stunned to find out that they cannot afford to pay off those loans and they may lose their homes."

AARP's efforts will be coordinated in individual states with law enforcement officials, state attorneys general, consumer advocates, and minority and community organizations.

AARP is a nonprofit organization that conducts programs and activities that promote social welfare and are educational in nature. AARP also makes service providers products and services available to its members.