When it comes to financial crimes, mortgages are a prime opportunity for people to cut corners, mislead, and defraud for capital gain.

There are a number of different types of mortgage fraud, and they can be difficult for lenders to spot. This blog discusses the five most common kinds of mortgage fraud, how to identify mortgage fraud red flags, and how to report cases of mortgage fraud.

What is Mortgage Fraud?

Mortgage fraud refers to an intentional misrepresentation of information required to fund, buy, or insure and mortgage. Along with the FBI, there are a number of professional organizations that monitor and investigate mortgage fraud to whom incidents can be reported. 

Types of Mortgage Fraud

While there are a number of different types of mortgage fraud, there are some that are more common, and each has its own red flags for how to detect them. 

Occupancy Fraud

What Is Occupancy Fraud?

Occupancy fraud occurs when the borrower misrepresents whether a property will be occupied or not. Often, the owner may live elsewhere but will claim that the home will be owner-occupied to obtain favorable bank status, even though the property will actually be vacant. Indicating that the home will be occupied by the buyer, even when it’s not true, allows the buyer to qualify for lower mortgage rates, lower out-of-pocket purchase costs, and higher loan-to-value ratios.

Mortgage Fraud Red Flags: Occupancy Fraud

To anticipate occupancy fraud, lenders should be on the lookout for appraisals that include expected rent payments, buyers who provide evidence of living “rent-free” in their residence, and very large down payments.

Straw Buyer

What Is a Straw Buyer Transaction?

A straw buyer is someone who specifically and knowingly acts on behalf of the true purchaser, misrepresenting the nature of the transaction. The real buyer might have bad credit or be trying to conceal shaky involvements that may disqualify them from getting a mortgage. Once the transaction is completed by the straw buyer, they will transfer the property title to the real buyer.

Mortgage Fraud Red Flags: Straw Man Scam

There are some important signs to look out for when sensing a straw man scam. Often, the funds will be coming from an entity or institution rather than an individual or the supposed buyer does not intend to personally occupy the property, both of which can be indicators of a straw man scam. A lack of any interaction between the lender and the buyer (in-person visits, phone calls, etc.) can be another red flag, or when tracking shows that the property title has been transferred shortly after the sale.

Non-Arm's Length Transaction

What Is a Non-Arm’s Length Transaction?

Another very common type of transaction fraud is referred to as a non-arm’s length transaction. This occurs when the two parties involved in the mortgage loan have a personal relationship in some way, making both the lender and borrower susceptible to manipulation by the other.

Mortgage Fraud Red Flags: Non-Arms Length Transaction

Any mortgage transaction between two parties that know each other is considered “non-arm’s length,” so that’s the first indicator. Another important characteristic to look out for is the lack of a real estate agent. It benefits the perpetrator to have few legally bound entities involved in the transaction who could expose possible manipulations.

Property Flip

What Is an Illegal Property Flip?

While the process of purchasing a property, holding it, or improving it and reselling it for a profit is not illegal, purchasing it below market and immediately reselling at an artificially inflated price is fraudulent. When the property is with a fraudulent appraisal that misleads the new buyer.

Mortgage Fraud Red Flags: Property Flip

Mortgage lenders can most likely sense an illegal property flip with some common indicators. If the purchase is utilizing a middle-man or straw buyer mentioned above, that person can often be a “flipper” who is providing the fraudulent appraisal. Other indicators can include the property being very recently in foreclosure or acquired at an abnormally low price or the appraisal value being suspiciously inflated.

Income Fraud

What Is Income Fraud?

Income fraud takes place when the borrower misrepresents the availability or continuity of the source of income required for the loan amount. The two common types of income fraud are:

• False Stated Income — the income information on the uniform loan application is not fully verified; 
• Misrepresentation of Employment — the borrower presents fictitious proof of employment such as fake pay stubs and employer documentation.

Mortgage Fraud Red Flags: Income Fraud

To look out for false stated income, pay attention to major discrepancies between the borrower’s life experience and their job title and income. To prevent misrepresentation of employment, investigate to ensure the listed employer is a real business and has a verifiable location, and be thorough when examining pay stubs.

Reporting Mortgage Fraud

The first step toward reporting mortgage fraud should always be to follow your financial institution’s reporting protocols. If further action should be taken, the Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), including big names like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, all have reporting steps that can be followed, and even hotlines to call. When in doubt, keep these key steps for reporting mortgage fraud in mind:

1. Collect and organize all files, data, and information relevant to the mortgage fraud.
2. Follow your lending institution’s mortgage fraud reporting procedures.
3. Report to fraud agencies and law enforcement.
4. Follow up after reports have been filed to continue to relay important details and ensure proper action is being taken.

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