Thinking about a mortgage loan? Be careful. Here's why.

An Internet operation that advertised Ò3.9% 30 Year MortgagesÓ to obtain sensitive financial information from consumers has been barred from violating federal lending and privacy laws. The operationÕs principals have agreed to settle FTC charges that the scheme violated federal law. The settlement requires the principals to post $1 million bonds before sending unsolicited commercial e-mail - spam - in the future. The settlements also bar misrepresentations in the advertising or sales of any goods or services on the Internet and misrepresentations that relate to residential mortgages. The settlements also bar the defendants from using or benefitting from personal information that was deceptively collected from consumers.

To avoid pitfalls in finding a mortgage, the best idea is to compare several different sites to find the best plan for you.