Additional Resources

Report Mortgage Fraud, Mortgage Scams and Predatory Lending

When homeowners or borrowers suspect they may be a victim of a Con-Artists work, they have many legal resources available to help them. Potential victims need to report mortgage fraud, mortgage scams, or predatory lending practices as soon as there is an indication these might exist. Waiting to make sure can be costly. Both on the national level and on the state level, government and private organizations are available to answer questions and provide help.

A quick rule-of-thumb on who to contact:

If you suspect you are a victim of mortgage fraud, contact the local FBI office; if you suspect or need to report predatory lending practices or other abusive-types of lending, contact your state Attorney Generals office; if you suspect or need to report mortgage scams by a real estate broker or appraiser, contact the states real estate licensing board or appraisal licensing board. The Better Business Bureau is also an excellent resource if you think you are a victim of fraud. These and many other sources of help are listed below .

National Resources for Reporting Mortgage Fraud and Scams

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

(202) 324-3000 National FBI Financial Institution Fraud Unit

The FBI, a branch of the United States Department of Justice, is authorized to investigate and enforce criminal laws of the U.S. The FBI investigates criminal acts involving potential violations of the United States Federal Criminal Code. State authorities investigate criminal acts which are violations of their states criminal laws.

In conjunction with the White Collar Crime department, the FBI investigates mortgage fraud, which often involves many professionals working in collusion: bank loan officers, realtors, appraisers, accountants, and mortgage brokers. All of these profit through various commissions, fictitious sales and fees often on loans that arent genuine.

To report mortgage fraud with the FBI, contact the Field Division listed under each state.

Consumer Response Center

600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington DC 20580

Toll Free Phone: (877) 438-4338 Identity Theft Clearinghouse

Consumer Response Center: (877) 382-4357

While the Federal Trade Commission does not actually resolve an individual consumers problem, it does investigate mortgage fraud with the aim of leading to law enforcement action. The FTC is especially active regarding homeowner and mortgage identity theft.

Phone: (202) 906-6000

Phone: (800) 842-6929 for consumer complaints

The Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, regulates all federally chartered and some state-chartered thrift institutions. This includes savings and loan associations and savings banks. The OTS has regional offices in all states, divided into four regions. To report mortgage fraud or mortgage scams that pertain to a savings & loan association or savings bank, see the contact information listed under each state.

750 First Street, NE, Suite 1100

Phone: (202) 326-6000

The role of the Attorney General in each state is to protect and serve the citizens. The office of the Attorney General provides legal representation for the State and its various agencies, in behalf of the public interest. However, the Attorney Generals Office may not perform legal advice for consumers or represent them. These offices do want you to report mortgage fraud, predatory lending practices, and mortgage scams to them. Almost all Attorney General Offices provide consumer complaint forms on their web sites to make reporting mortgage scams and fraud easier. These offices are seriously dedicated to assisting the citizens of the state. The National Attorneys General Office consolidates the individual states actions against predatory mortgage lending practices.

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

www.ojp.gov/ovc/publications/welcome.html#m )

The Better Business Bureau (BBB)

The Council of Better Business Bureaus

The Better Business Bureau (BBB), a system of over 120 independent, local Better Business Bureaus, aims at resolving complaints and keeping the public informed. For best results it is best to contact your local Better Business Bureau, rather than the National Office. However, the National Office is still available to help you. Local contacts can be found listed under the state.