Help Defending Against Charges of Mortgage Fraud in Jacksonville

Florida fraud defense attorneys protecting clients’ financial reputations

The term mortgage fraud covers a variety of actions intentionally omitting or misrepresenting information on a mortgage loan application for the purpose of obtaining approval for any loan or for a loan larger than one for which the borrower could qualify.

The Offices of the U.S. Attorneys identifies mortgage fraud as a significant contributor to the recent economic downturn and takes a hard line on enforcement activities. For anyone in Jacksonville facing investigation or charges for this complex white-collar crime, the most effective defense begins as early as possible in the legal process.

Kinds of mortgage fraud

Mortgage fraud charges can be complex because of the many varieties of mortgage fraud crimes, including the following:

• Equity skimming: This is a common foreclosure scam in which one person buys property from another under the terms of an existing mortgage in default. The buyer makes money from the property by, for example, obtaining a home equity loan or renting the property. However, the new buyer does not make the mortgage payments and the property goes into foreclosure. The original property owner has no property and a foreclosure.
• Property flipping: Before the recent downturn in the housing market, a common practice involved buying homes in need of repairs at low cost, improving the properties and selling them for profit. This practice is not normally illegal — until the flipper sells the property using fraudulent schemes. These schemes involve making only cosmetic changes to the property, often hiding serious unrepaired flaws. The flippers generally collude with real estate appraisers to support an inflated sale price. In the end, the buyer has to spend thousands of extra dollars to make the home livable and often cannot even afford to stay in the home.
• Mortgage-related identity theft: This crime has become a multimillion dollar business throughout the country, focused on homeowners and the elderly. Criminals have found ways to obtain mortgages on the homes of others. Under this scheme, the thieves take the mortgage money and have the homeowners evicted. Although the homeowners experience difficult times, they do not have to repay the lost funds, nor do they lose their homes. Because the money is stolen from the mortgage lenders, it is the lenders who are the victims of this crime.

Jacksonville white-collar crime prosecutions are increasing in these troubled times. But then many people under investigation for mortgage fraud have done nothing wrong. When you bring your issues to our skilled mortgage fraud law firm in Florida, we can protect you by presenting a solid defense during the investigative phase or in court. Without an experienced white-collar criminal lawyer, blameless individuals in Jacksonville can be victimized.

Seek representation from a Jacksonville white-collar criminal defense law firm experienced in mortgage fraud

If you face investigation or charges for allegedly committing mortgage fraud, you need an experienced Jacksonville white-collar criminal defense lawyer to represent you and protect your rights — immediately. Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. has extensive experience in federal and state criminal cases, along with years of federal prosecutor experience. We understand the intricate investigation strategies used by federal agencies to indict and attempt to convict those accused of white-collar crime.

Contact us online or call our office today at (904) 353-5800 to schedule a consultation at no cost or obligation to discuss your concerns.