Rising delinquency rates in mortgage payments have forced many homeowners to confront a harsh and unpleasant truth: foreclosure.

Across the country, record numbers of Americans are falling behind on their mortgages and being to forced to confront the possibility that they'll lose their homes to foreclosure.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's National Delinquency Survey for the fourth quarter of 2008 reported that the delinquency rate for mortgage loans rose more than three-quarters of a percent between the third and fourth quarter of the year, and more than 2 percent for the year. Additionally, the number of loans in the foreclosure process rose again, as did the number of loans entering the foreclosure process.

The economic and political factors that formed the home equity quagmire began with loose lending standards, rampant speculation, low interest rates and various ways to borrow from the housing piggy bank. Unfortunately, it ends with homeowners fighting to keep a roof over their heads.

Fortunately, government, nonprofits and banks have geared up to try and deal with the problem, with varying degrees of success. There are many more options to avoid foreclosure than there were even a year ago.

Here's useful information on your options, potential pitfalls and scams, and where to seek help.

Fighting foreclosure

Facing foreclosure, finding solutions   When you fall behind on your house payments, your chances of getting cooperation from the mortgage company are better if you follow these guidelines. Foreclosure counseling for homeowners   Homeowners who are intimidated by bankers and lenders often turn to community organizations to help them through the foreclosure process. Foreclosures at a glance   From the first day after a missed payment through eviction after the auction, here's what happens in the foreclosure process. 8 do's and don'ts for fending off foreclosure   Determined homeowners do have options once the foreclosure process has begun. Avoid common scams and act quickly. Foreclosure scams   In danger of losing their homes, desperate homeowners could fall prey to scam artists peddling false hope and crooked promises. Foreclosure, mortgage and loan quiz   Think you know about mortgages, other loans and finance in general? Our quick five-question quiz will let you test your knowledge. Know your mortgage work sheet   Bankrate polls have revealed that some mortgage holders don't know the terms of their loan. This work sheet helps borrowers pull the key information together on one simple form. Mortgage reset calculator   Do you know what your mortgage payment will be when your rate adjusts? Use this calculator to find out.