Growing Problem in Real Estate - Mortgage Fraud

Mortgage fraud may continue to plague the real estatenegligent misrepresentation of this information
industry. Maybe, I am seeing only the 20% Fraud forcontained in this application may result in civil liability,
Property/Housing, as defined by The Federal Bureauincluding monetary damages, to any person who may
of Investigations.Reasons why mortgage fraud maysuffer any loss due to reliance upon any
continue:1) The escalating cost of housing and themisrepresentation that I have made on this application,
"American Dream" of owning your own home.2)and/or in criminal penalties including, but not limited to,
Licensing for real estate agents and mortgage brokersfine or imprisonment or both under the provisions of
is much too easy. The requirements for licensing needTitle 18, United States Code, Sec. 1001, et seq.;...7) the
to require a greater level of education, more than aLender and its agents, brokers, insurers, servicers,
high school degree as a prerequisite for licensing andsuccessors and assigns may continuously rely on the
harder licensing requirements, such as moreinformation contained in the application, and I am
pre-licensing education and harder tests. This will resultobligated to amend and/or supplement the information
in better people and less people entering the realprovided in this application if any of the material facts
estate profession.3) Lenders need to offer less loanthat I have represented herein should change prior to
programs, for example, stated income loans (someclosing of the Loan;..."7) Enforcement of the
refer to this as inflated income loans) and no doc (noparagraphs from the typical mortgage, which
documentation loans).4) Most lenders require an IRSreference the borrower's loan application and
(Internal Revenue Service) Form 4506 at time ofacceleration clauses: Borrower's Loan Application.
closing. Now, there is something that an underwriter orBorrower shall be in default if, during the Loan
lender can request information and stop an inflatedapplication process, Borrower or any persons or
(aka stated) income mortgage application dead in itsentities acting at the direction of the Borrower or with
tracks. If they lie on their income tax return, is it possibleBorrower's knowledge or consent gave materially
that they would lie on their mortgage application?5)false, misleading, or inaccurate information or
Lack of educational programs in the real estatestatements to the Lender (or failed to provide Lender
profession to identify mortgage fraud - could bewith material information) in connection with the Loan.
wishful thinking, due to the Privacy Act - but at least aMaterial representations include, but are not limited to,
start. Where to report suspected mortgage fraudrepresentations concerning Borrower's occupancy of
situations to the appropriate law enforcementthe Property as Borrower's principal residence.
authorities.6) The credit reporting and scoring systemAcceleration; Remedies. Lender shall give notice to
needs an overhaul. Too often, I find errors on creditBorrower prior to acceleration following Borrower's
reports, where the creditor is not reporting timely orbreach of any covenant or agreement in this Security
accurately information. For example, a customerInstrument...(d) that failure to cure the default on or
settled in full his collection action in the later part ofbefore the date specified in the notice may result in
February '06. The collection agency in the later part ofacceleration of the sums secured by this Security
April is still showing a portion of the account asInstrument, foreclosure by judicial proceeding and sale
outstanding with a current date. Yes, they reported theof the Property.8) Better and possibly required
payment, but did not remove the negotiated portion ofeducation of prospective borrowers, so they can
the balance.7) Lack of control points within the existingrecognize the impact and identify
system.What could possibly be done to reduce thesituations.Implementation of number 6 above will send
mortgage fraud:1) More checks and balances withinshock waves into the communities and cause the less
the system to identify potential mortgage frauddesirable professionals out of business and awareness
situations.2) More education for all real estateto borrowers. Many may argue that this will be costly
professionals - real estate agents, REALTORS,to the overall economy or lenders if foreclosure
underwriters, lenders, etc.3) Greater licensingproceedings are needed, but in the long run there could
requirements for all. And licensing requirements whereconsiderable savings for all.In summary, mortgage
no licensing is required at this time.4) Implementation offraud may continue, until such time that the losses
a "whistle blower" protection system and telephonereach greater levels unless there is a proactive
hotline.5) Proactive preventative action on the part ofpreventative overall program to curb it. Old country
lenders.6) Enforcement of Section IX -saying "you don't close the gate after the horse leaves
"ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT"the corral."(c) Copyright 2006, Glenn M. Ginsburg. All
located on page 3 of the Uniform Residential Loanrights reserved.Glenn Ginsburg is a Florida Licensed
Application (FNMA 1003):Real Estate Broker and Mortgage Broker in the Naples
"Each of the undersigned specifically represents toreal estate market for over 10 years. Also serving the
Lender and to Lender's actual or potential agents,Bonita Springs real estate and Estero real estate
brokers, processors, attorneys, insurers, servicers,markets in southwest Florida. Glenn was selected as a
successors and assigns and agrees and2006 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent "Best in Client
acknowledges that: (1) the information provided in thisSatisfaction" from over 12,000 real estate agents in
application is true and correct as of the date set forthsouthwest Florida. He is the owner/broker of A Delta
opposite my signature and that any intentional orRealty of Naples Florida.