"Predatory" foreclosure practices is the new terminology for foreclosure law firms that do anything to foreclose on homes.  For example, sewer service (not serving the homeowner), violating court ordered stays, sending phony and hugely inflated reinstatement letters when homeowners want to redeem houses, adjourning court appearances but never filing the adjournment with the court, etc., etc.  These tactics are used by foreclosure attorneys in order to get your house from you with the goal of getting a buddy to the auction to buy your house at the courthouse steps in order to flip it and get the equity in the home.  It, unfortunately, has been common practice here in New York.