Foreclosures by the nation’s 14 top mortgage services are under review. The office of the Comptroller of the Currency said Tuesday that the banks are sending notices about free reviews to four million people. It’s in response to allegations earlier this year that banks wrongly foreclosed on thousands of people.

Independent reviewers will examine foreclosures made in 2009 and 2010, the peak period. They will be looking for errors in the foreclosure process that financially harmed borrowers.

The banks under review include Wells Fargo, Chase, SunTrust and Bank of America.

Bryan Hubbard is a spokesman with the office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

“Everyone who was in foreclosure process in 2009 and 2010 will receive a mailing," he said in an interview. "That does not necessarily mean that your particular foreclosure has errors, misrepresentations or deficiencies. But it does give you the opportunity to request a review.”

Hubbard said consumers need to be wary of anyone offering a review for a fee. The independent reviews ordered by the federal government are totally free. He said homeowners should expect the process to take several months but if successful, they may receive restitution of monies lost.

RealtyTrac data shows Georgia ranked fourth in the nation for foreclosures in the third quarter.

Newton County had the highest foreclosure rate, with one for every 38 households. Walton County ranked No. 2, with one foreclosure for every 52 homes.

Tags: mortgages, foreclosures, bonner, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency