how to know if your housing lawyer is a fraud

How do I report fraud in the housing and Urban Development?

Nov 22, 2021 · Learn the basics of how rental listing scams work. Get the terms of your rental in writing, including fees, rent, and maintenance. Get a copy of the lease, signed by both you and the property owner/manager. Do a search on the owner, real estate management company, and listing. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a ...

Do I need a lawyer for real estate fraud?

Aug 27, 2015 · Your local Department of Housing and Urban Development office will have an Office of Inspector General that deals with fraud reports. You can contact them by email, letter, or an in-person visit. Tell them the name and address of the person you suspect of section 8 fraud and tell them why you believe this.

What is HUD fraud?

You must submit a written statement in support of allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and/or mismanagement. WHO (Names, addresses, phone numbers) WHAT (Specific events and evidence; loss to HUD program) WHEN (Date, time, frequency) WHERE (Location, City, State, Housing Authority) WHY (Gain to violator) HOW (What scheme was used)

How do I report HUD Section 8 fraud?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is often the victim of fraud that can be pursued by qui tam relators under the False Claims Act. HUD Fraud can arise in the agency’s mortgage, grant, assistance and regulatory programs. These include HUD’s Section 8 housing choice voucher program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the …

How do I make sure my rental is legit?

Here are some tips to help you avoid rental scams:Do an online search of the rental company. ... Got a good vibe? ... Compare prices. ... Take a tour. ... Nothing sketchy yet? ... Before you sign a lease, look for signs at the rental with the name of the property owner or manager. ... Never pay with cash, wire transfers or gift cards.Jun 12, 2019

How do you know if a Realtor is scamming you?

The following warning signs may indicate a real estate scam:Lack Of Proper Documentation. If you're looking to buy a home and the seller lacks the necessary paperwork, this is a huge red flag. ... Pressure To Act Immediately. ... Unrealistic Guarantees. ... Demands To Wire Money.Jun 24, 2021

Will a scammer come to my house?

We have heard such reports in the past and to our knowledge no scammer has actually come to the victim's house.” Unfortunately, it is easy for scammers to find your home address online. In many cases, the impostor scams come from places outside the U.S. such as Jamaica and Costa Rica.Mar 3, 2020

Can fraudsters sell your house?

Criminals may attempt to sell or mortgage a property by impersonating an owner using false or stolen ID. Criminals often target: sole owners, especially of unmortgaged properties. absent owners, especially landlords.

Rental Scams

Rental scams happen when either a property owner or potential tenant misrepresents themselves. Rental scams also misrepresent the terms and availab...

Foreclosure Scams

Scammers may offer to "help" you make your mortgage payments, but they’re just trying to take your money. Find out how to detect, report, and prote...

How to Hire Movers and Avoid Moving Fraud

Most moving companies are reputable businesses that do quality work. But some moving companies use fraudulent practices to steal your money. Learn...

How to report a fraud?

1. Gather evidence and details. When you make your report, you will need to provide enough information to convince the investigating agency that fraud seems to be occurring, and enough detail to indicate who and where to investigate.

What is Section 8 housing?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) operates a housing voucher program under Section VIII of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This voucher program is commonly known as Section 8 assistance, and is designed to help low income, elderly, and disabled people afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing.

What is Section 8 assistance?

Section 8 assistance is given to those with low income to help them afford housing for themselves and their families. Sometimes, a tenant's income level will rise, but they will not report the increase in income in order to keep qualifying for Section 8 assistance. This is financial fraud.

Can you report fraud anonymously?

Decide whether or not to remain anonymous. You generally have the option to make an anonymous fraud report. However, if you remain anonymous, the investigator will not be able to contact you again for any additional information or details.

What is whistleblower protection coordinator?

The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended at Section 3, requires the OIG to designate a Whistleblower Protection Coordinator, who shall educate agency employees about prohibitions on retaliation for protected disclosures, and employees’ rights and remedies against retaliation for protected disclosures.

What is the Federal Acquisition Regulation?

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) now requires all contractors to notify the government whenever they become aware of a contract overpayment or fraud. If you are a federal contractor, or employee of same, and you have evidence of a violation of federal law involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery, gratuity violations, or violations of the False Claims Act, please complete and submit this form.

What is the IG Act?

The IG Act protects the confidentiality of HUD employees’ disclosures by prohibiting the OIG from disclosing the employee’s identity unless the OIG determines such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation. IG Act of 1978, Section 7 (b).

What is the purpose of the OIG?

Each OIG is tasked with reviewing and investigating retaliation complaints relating to the programs the OIG oversees .

How to contact the OSC?

To file a Disclosure : Click here. To contact the OSC directly: Call (202) 804-7000 or (800) 872-9855 to leave a confidential message. An OSC attorney will return the call.

What is the OSC?

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is the independent federal entity that investigates disclosures and complaints by federal employees of whistleblower retaliation. The OIG works with the OSC to investigate these cases. Federal employees may file disclosures or complaints directly with the OSC.

What is HUD fraud?

HUD Fraud. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is often the victim of fraud that can be pursued by qui tam relators under the False Claims Act. HUD Fraud can arise in the agency’s mortgage, grant, assistance and regulatory programs. These include HUD’s Section 8 housing choice voucher program for assisting very low-income ...

What is a preforeclosure sale?

The Preforeclosure Sale Program is a HUD program that uses government aid to cover the shortfall for troubled homeowners who must sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgages (i.e., the homeowners are “under water”).

What is actionable misconduct?

One form of actionable misconduct is when the Section 8 landlord charges an improperly high rent that is passed along to the Government. Another is when the landlord falsely qualifies renters as Section 8 voucher eligible, when they are not. And, a third is when a landlord does not maintain housing in a decent, safe and sanitary condition.

What is real estate fraud?

The crime of real estate fraud occurs when one person in a real estate transaction makes false representations of relevant information to another person in the transaction. Or, the person may fail to disclose relevant information to the other. The other person then acts on the false information or omission to their financial detriment.

What is buyer fraud?

Providing an income figure that is higher than the buyer’s actual income; Falsely representing the amount of debt or the kinds of debts the borrower owes to creditors creditors; and. Giving the lender false paycheck stubs or statements, or false tax statements . Additional types of buyer fraud include:

How long is a felony in prison?

A felony is punishable by a prison sentence of one year or more, as well as payment of a more substantial fine. Real estate fraud can also be charged as a federal crime by federal authorities in some circumstances.

How long does it take to file a fraud case?

In most states, fraud charges must be brought within one to five years after the crime occurred.

Can a seller commit fraud?

Sellers can commit real estate fraud at any point in the process of selling property. If a seller intentionally misrepresents a fact or fails to disclose known facts that are relevant to a buyer about the seller’s house, and the buyer relies on the misrepresentation or omission, then the seller has committed fraud.

What is silent second mortgage?

Using a “Silent Second”: In this type of real estate fraud, the buyer is unable to afford the down payment that must be paid when buying a home. Without the lender’s knowledge or approval, a buyer might get a second mortgage from a different lender to finance the down payment.

What is appraisal fraud?

Lenders and real estate brokers commit a type of fraud known as appraisal fraud. Mortgage loan officers as well as real estate brokers and agents are paid a commission for their work. This means that they receive a percentage of the price for which a home sells.

What are the legal implications of Section 8 Housing program?

Under New York City’s Section 8 program, the beneficiary is responsible for finding their own housing and pays about one-third of the rent, and the program pays the balance of the rent directly to the landlord.

What Government Agencies Investigate Housing Fraud?

Section 8 fraud can be investigated and prosecuted by local, state, and federal authorities. In recent years, the number of federal prosecutions has increased considerably. State charges generally include grand larceny and filing of a false business document, and federal charges usually are theft of public money under 18 U.S.C.

What are the penalties for housing fraud?

Penalties for Section 8 fraud can be severe, especially in federal cases.

What to do if you are under investigation

Finding out that you’re being targeted in a criminal investigation can be terrifying, but we can help you learn how to react intelligently and responsibly. With the right reaction techniques, you can overcome an investigation and secure the best results possible.

What to do if you believe you are a victim of mortgage fraud?

If you believe that you are a victim of mortgage fraud or you are getting the runaround about a loan modification from your bank, then you need an experienced mortgage attorney to help you understand your rights and options.

How to sue a mortgage company?

Here are some signs that you might have grounds for a lawsuit against your mortgage company: 1 Your lender promised a loan modification but foreclosed on you during the process. 2 You qualified for your mortgage loan with no job and no down payment. After an interest rate increase, you can’t pay, and the bank is threatening to foreclosure. 3 The mortgage company misapplied your payments, and your loan is in foreclosure status as a result. 4 Your loan was transferred to a new lender, and they are refusing to honor your loan modification.

Why do mortgage companies do predatory lending?

Many mortgage companies engaged in what is known as predatory lending to get homeowners approved for mortgages that they did not qualify for—usually with very high-interest rates. This results in defaults and foreclosures due to the banks predatory lending schemes.

What happens if your bank doesn't follow the law?

If your bank failed to follow the law and is trying to foreclose on you illegally, you can file a lawsuit against the mortgage company. Here are some of the biggest mortgage fraud scams.

Can a foreclosure be frozen?

The foreclosure process should completely freeze until the modification process is over. If you receive a foreclosure notice right away, then the bank likely continued tracking your loan for foreclosure while you were working on a loan modification. This is considered to be fraudulent and could very well be grounds for a lawsuit.

How to avoid a rental scam?

Due Diligence Tips for Avoiding a Rental Scam 1 Research the landlord. With a simple Google search, you can find out if the person is associated with the area, or even if they’ve been named in scams in the past by news outlets, local law enforcement or previous victims. 2 Verify the address. This helps you avoid a bait-and-switch from an agent who’s trying to get you to accept another apartment. Search the address online to see if the property is listed for sale by a different real estate agent or if the rental shows different contact information elsewhere, which is a sign that someone is using the property as a scam. 3 Check street views of the property. When you look at the property on an online map, click on the street view option to see if the property matches the exterior photo in the listing. 4 Visit and tour the rental. If you do this, you're also more likely to notice other details that may be deal breakers for your next home, like an aggressive neighbor dog, a busy street or poor upkeep. 5 Meet in person. Many scammers are unwilling to meet in person, and if you do so for an apartment tour, you’ll be able to get proof of access to and knowledge of the property as you walk around and ask questions.

Why can't I meet with scammers?

They're "Out of the Country". The reason many scammers give that they can't meet with you in person is they're temporarily out of the country. As the FTC reports on its website, scammers may even make it seem realistic: "It might even involve a lawyer or an 'agent' working on their behalf.

What happens if a landlord asks you to sign a lease?

If a supposed landlord asks you to sign a lease with only email communication and no background on your financial stability, he or she is likely looking to get a one-time payment from you and may disappear before you move.

Is Nigerian prince a scam?

Nigerian prince or not, any request for you to wire the security deposit or first month's rent is a clear sign of a scam. Once the money has been collected, there's no way for you to get it back, and the person you thought you were in contact with can easily disappear.

Can a scammer copy a rental advertisement?

The FTC warns that scammers will commonly copy a rental advertisement word-for-word as well, merely changing the email address or phone number associated with the listing and posting it on a different site. Just ask Kaeti Bancroft, owner of Metro Brokers in Littleton, Colorado.