On the front lines against mortgage fraud

Mortgage fraud has made headlines locally and nationally. Most of the time, mortgage fraud involves identity theft or fraud — making a borrower appear to be somebody else, with a better job, more income or fewer debts. Somebody more creditworthy.

But some mortgage fraud involves a broker or loan officer telling the mortgagee — the lender — and the borrower that the house is worth more than it is. This way, they can close a larger loan and make a bigger commission. Since real estate agents also usually make a percentage of the sale as commission, sometimes they can be involved. In reality, most loan officers, mortgage brokers and real estate salespeople are ethical and would never think of engaging in mortgage fraud. But mortgage fraud of this type always originates with one of the parties who makes a commission on a closed sale.

Sometimes, fraud like this can be accomplished without an appraiser involved. Honest, professional appraisal reports are simply altered, or honest, professional appraisers' signatures forged. But in reality, a complicitous appraiser often makes it easier to perpetrate mortgage fraud. At the same time, appraisers are also homeowners', lenders' and the economy's best defense against mortgage fraud.

Some mortgage brokers, loan officers, real estate salespeople, and appraisers are "bad apples" and will agree to go along with a scheme to defraud lenders and homebuyers so bigger commissions can be had. Not us, and not the vast majority of real estate professionals. Pleae report fraud that you are aware of and help keep the dream of homeownership safe.

RESOURCES FOR REPORTING MORTGAGE FRAUD

DISTRICT ATTORNEY (COUNTY SELECTION)

FBI

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE

GEORGIA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION 

GEORGIA RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE FRAUD ACT

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF GEORGIA