Orange County Mortgage Fraud Lawyer

Passionately Serving Clients Across the Nation

Charges of mortgage fraud are on the rise in California and nationwide. Once it was learned that these accusations are increasingly common, state and federal law enforcement agencies began investigating and cracking down even harder on anything they deemed to be suspicious. This has resulted in more and more charges being filed, sometimes against innocent people who might have made minor mistakes. And what’s worse, recent investigations seem to suggest that California and federal law enforcement are more focused on the little guy instead of banks and big corporations.

Many examples of mortgage fraud involve a buyer misrepresenting their assets, their income, or some forgery of some sort. Sellers can be guilty of mortgage fraud, too, when they misrepresent the value of their property. Law enforcement is on the lookout for indicators of potential fraud by reviewing suspicious activity reports (SARs) which have been submitted.

If you’ve been charged with, or are under suspicion of, mortgage fraud in Orange County, CA, please speak with federal defense attorney Diane C. Bass. Everybody’s story is unique, and whatever the particulars of your fraud case may be, it is important that you understand you have rights, and you need to begin building your defense now.

What is Mortgage Fraud?

Mortgage fraud is an umbrella term used for any act of misrepresentation or failure to include relevant information at any stage in a mortgage loan application or other parts of the lending process. No real estate transaction is immune from the possibility of fraud, should one or more parties act in bad faith.

If federal or state law enforcement investigates and finds that, indeed, fraud has been committed during your transaction, the accused may face felony or misdemeanor charges. A conviction could result in large financial penalties as well as the possibility of years of prison time.

What Are the Different Examples of Mortgage Fraud?

Mortgage fraud can take many forms, with examples of the offense including:

• A buyer purchases real property under a fake identity.
• A home buyer lies on their mortgage application, saying they make more and are worth more than they actually are, in an attempt to secure lower interest rates.
• A prospective buyer misrepresents their outstanding loans and liabilities.
• A real estate agent or consultant scams their other parties in the sale of a piece of property.
• A seller makes false or misleading alterations to real estate, illegitimately inflating property value.
• Air loans including fictitious properties.
• Drafting a fraudulent real estate contract.
• Equity skimming.
• Flipping houses by corrupt means with the help of false appraisals.
• Foreclosure scams.
• Forging signatures on a document.
• Identity theft.
• Making false statements to the FBI, IRS, or any state government agencies in a loan application.
• Mortgage reduction scams.
• Predatory lending.

Mortgage fraud cases usually involve charges of grand theft, money laundering, and wire fraud. If more than one person is involved in the criminal act, it may be charged as a conspiracy.

How Can a Defense Attorney Help?

As with all matters of the law, a person’s actions, intent, and the existence of a past criminal record will be taken into consideration when reviewing the offenses and determining to sentence. But while it may be that you did not intend to defraud anyone, or maybe this is your first recorded criminal offense, you cannot rely on the good graces of an understanding judge and jury to avoid jail time and huge financial losses.

Defense lawyer Diane C. Bass has years of experience representing clients in and out of California courtrooms. Together with Ms. Bass, you will attempt to craft a winning defense to your charges of fraud. And if you should be convicted of a crime, your attorney will use your history and background to argue for lighter sentencing so that you may get back on your feet again sooner rather than later.

Mortgage fraud charges are serious and need to be respected. If you are under investigation or have been recently charged, you need legal representation.