California - Mortgage Fraud Resources

California has been one of the most hardest-hit states in the real estate market meltdown because of overinflated home values over the years. In response, the state enacted a bill that requires that lenders contact distressed homeowners about their intent to foreclosure 30 days before filing a Notice of Default.

Much of California's mortgage fraud has been caused by either applicants or brokers lying on mortgage applications. Another large percentage is related to tax returns and financial statements, according to state data. It is expected that the rash of mortgage fraud cases in California may cause the attorney general's office and state legislature to take a stronger stand against this crime in the near future.

Below is a list of contact information and resources for anyone wishing to report or investigate possible mortgage fraud in California or for persons seeking information on mortgage fraud.

FBI field offices are responsible for investigating potential cases of fraud and work with the offices of the state and federal attorneys general to prosecute criminals. Local offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help mortgage applicants find the resources they need to make smart mortgage decisions.

The California Department of Financial Institutions helps to set rules, investigate complaints and exercise enforcement/disciplinary authority over the businesses it oversees. The Office of Real Estate Appraisers and Real Estate Board Commission have numerous sources of mortgage fraud information for consumers and can direct them to appropriate contacts for specific questions on mortgage fraud.

Finally the Better Business Bureau sets guidelines by which all businesses should operate and will take steps to ensure that consumers are being treated fairly by businesses.

California Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection
http://ag.ca.gov/consumers.php
Attn: Public Inquiry Unit
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Phone: (916) 322-3360

California Department of Corporations
Financial Services Division
http://www.corp.ca.gov/
320 West 4th Street, Suite 750
Los Angles, CA 90013-2344
Toll-Free: (800) 347-6995 -- CA only
Phone: (213) 576-7690

California Department of Financial Institutions
www.dfi.ca.gov/
111 Pine Street, Suite 1100
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 263-8537

California Department of Real Estate
http://www.dre.cahwnet.gov/
2201 Broadway
Sacramento, CA 95818-2500
Phone: (916) 227-0770

California Office of Real Estate Appraisers
http://www.orea.ca.gov/
1102 Q Street, Suite 4100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 552-9000

FBI Field Offices
Los Angeles Division
http://losangeles.fbi.gov/
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700, FOB
Los Angeles, CA 90024-3672
Phone: (310) 477-6565

Sacramento Division
http://sacramento.fbi.gov/
White Collar Crime Program
4500 Orange Grove Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95841-4205
Phone: (916) 481-9110

San Diego Division
http://sandiego.fbi.gov/
Federal Office Building
9797 Aero Drive
San Diego, CA 92123-1800
Phone: (858) 565-1255

San Francisco Division
http://sanfrancisco.fbi.gov/
450 Golden Gate Avenue, 13th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102-9523
Phone: (415) 553-7400

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
California Offices
www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=ca&topic=offices
Email: CA_Webmanager@hud.gov

San Francisco Regional Office
600 Harrison Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94107-1300
Phone: (415)-489-6400

Fresno Field Office
2135 Fresno Street, Suite 100
Fresno, CA 93721-1718
Phone: (559) 487-5033

Los Angeles Field Office
611 W. Sixth Street, Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 894-8007

Sacramento Field Office
925 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 498-5220

San Diego Field Office
Symphony Towers, Suite 1600
750 B Street
San Diego, CA 92101-8131
Phone: (619) 557-5310

Santa Ana Field Office
Santa Ana Federal Building, Room 7015
34 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701-4003
Phone: (714) 796-5577

U.S. Treasury Office of Thrift Supervision
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
Consumer Complaints
http://www.ots.treas.gov/?p=ConsumerComplaintsInquiries
Phone: (800) 842-6929
E-mail: consumer.complaint@ots.treas.gov

Western Region Office
225 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 500
Irving, TX 75062-2326
Phone: (972)277-9500
Mailing address
P.O. Box 619027
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
75261-9027

National Credit Union Administration
Region V - Tempe
http://www.ncua.gov/AboutNcua/org/Region5.htm
1230 W. Washington Street, Suite 301
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (602) 302-6000
Email: Region5@ncua.gov

National Fair Housing Alliance
http://www.nationalfairhousing.org/
1212 New York Avenue, NW Ste 525
Washington, DC 2005
Phone: (202) 898-1661
E-mail: nfha@nationalfairhousing.org

To locate your local affiliate:
http://www.nationalfairhousing.org/MemberOrganizations/tabid/2574/Default.aspx

Better Business Bureaus
Better Business Bureau Serving Central California
http://cencal.bbb.org
2519 W. Shaw, #106
Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: (559) 222-8111
E-mail: info@bbbcencal.org

Better Business Bureau Serving Northern California
www.oakland.bbb.org
510 16th Street, Ste. 550
Oakland, CA 94612-1584
Phone: (510) 238-1000
E-mail: info@oakland.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of Northern Nevada, Inc.
http://reno.bbb.org/contact-us/
991 Bible Way
Reno, NV 89502-2122
Phone: (775) 322-0657
E-mail: information@renobbb.org

Better Business Bureau in Northeast California
www.northeastcalifornia.bbb.org
400 S. Street
Sacramento, CA 95814-6997
Phone: (916) 443-6843
E-mail: info@northeastcalifornia.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of the Southland, Inc.
http://www.la.bbb.org/Home.aspx
PO Box 970
Colton, CA 92324-3052
Phone: (909) 825-7280
E-mail: info@labbb.org

Better Business Bureau of San Diego
http://sandiego.bbb.org/
5050 Murphy Canyon, Ste. 110
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 496-2131
E-mail: info@sandiego.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of Silicon Valley
http://sanjose.bbb.org/Home.aspx
1112 S. Bascom Ave.
San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: (408) 278-7400
E-mail: info@bbbsilicon.org

Better Business Bureau of the Tri-Counties
http://www.santabarbara.bbb.org/Home.aspx
PO Box 129
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
Phone: (805) 963-8657
E-mail: info@santabarbara.bbb.org

Stockton Better Business Bureau, Inc.
http://midcal.bbb.org/
11 S. San Joaquin Street, Ste. 803
Stockton, CA 95202 -3202
Phone: (209) 948-4880
E-mail: info@midcalbbb.org