ERIC HAMILTONMORTGAGES REIMAGINEDStart my application

YOUR MORTGAGE, EXPLAINED

How can I tell whether mortgage mail is from my lender?

A letter using your lender’s name or loan amount is not proof that the lender sent it. Verify the sender through a phone number or website you already trust. Be especially careful with urgent payment instructions, paid document offers and claims that you must refinance or buy extra coverage immediately.

By Eric Hamilton · Published September 17, 2026

Read who sent it

Look beyond the largest logo or headline for the actual company and purpose. Public property records can make a solicitation look personal. Familiar loan details do not establish an existing business relationship.

Check before paying

If a notice claims you owe money, compare it with your servicer’s account and official correspondence. Do not use a new payment link without verification. Ask whether a requested service is necessary or available elsewhere.

Protect identity information

Do not provide account passwords, verification codes or sensitive documents to an unexpected caller. Contact the verified organization directly when you need to check an issue.

Keep important notices separate

Some real servicing, insurance or tax notices require action. Verification helps you respond to genuine issues without treating every letter as legitimate. Preserve questionable mail if you need to report it.

Sources and scope

General U.S. education. Program, investor, company, servicer and state requirements vary. Agency references describe their own scope, not universal eligibility. Illustrations are hypothetical, not quotes or approvals.

  1. CFPB: Protecting mortgage closing funds Accessed September 17, 2026
  2. CFPB: Managing a monthly mortgage payment Accessed September 17, 2026

Approved for publication by Eric Hamilton on September 17, 2026.

General education, not a loan quote, approval or an individual recommendation. Ask the appropriate professional about your situation.

KEEP LEARNING

Your next questions

Who should I contact about my mortgage payment?

Start with the mortgage servicer shown on your current statement for payment posting, escrow and account questions. Your original lender and current servicer may be different companies. Eric can help with mortgage planning and future options, but a planning conversation does not change your account or replace a request to the servicer.

Read the answer

Why did my mortgage payment go up?

A fixed interest rate does not freeze every part of your payment. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance or an escrow adjustment may change what you owe. Start by comparing the old and new statements line by line. Find the part that changed before deciding whether a new loan would help.

Read the answer

What should I do if I may miss a mortgage payment?

Contact your mortgage servicer as soon as you expect trouble, even before a payment is missed. Ask about available assistance and the information needed for review. A HUD approved housing counselor can also help you understand options. Do not assume you must refinance or wait for the situation to get worse before asking for help.

Read the answer

Separate lender charges from the rest of your closing costs

Understanding who charges each item makes a mortgage comparison clearer and helps you ask better questions about the cash needed to close.

Read the answer

Browse the answer library · Read Eric’s blog · Watch the video library