that can't be right. >> reporter: now the company lien logic is asking for additional interest and high legal fees, too, ballooning the tab to almost $5,000. >> someone could actually lose their home for fail your to pay a $200 or $300 water or sewer bill. >> reporter: the national consumer law center says thousands of homeowners all over the u.s. are threatened with foreclosure every year because of unpaid utility bills and taxes. in rhode island, a $474 sewer bill cost one woman her home. the company that took possession later sold it for $85,000. back in baltimore, vicky valentine lost her house over a partially paid water bill. you'd been in this home for 33 years? >> yes. >> reporter: and now all of a sudden, you're out on the street. >> yes. and that's not a fun place to be. >> reporter: lien logic, which bought burton's debt, makes $100 million a year, profiting from its lien business. we tracked down one of the company's co-founders after he