Georgia - Mortgage Fraud Resources

Georgia has the unfortunate distinction of consistently appearing among the 10 states where the most mortgage fraud occurs (as measured each year by the Mortgage Asset Research Institute), showing that residents need to be aware of the dangers and penalties.

The Georgia Governor's Office has created a Consumer Affairs division that is playing an increasingly important role in the state in addressing mortgage fraud cases. That division is listed below, as are contacts for other governmental and nongovernmental departments that address these crimes.

FBI field offices are responsible for investigating potential cases of fraud and working with offices of the state and federal attorneys general to prosecute criminals. The 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 Georgia Department of Banking and Finance helps to set rules, investigate complaints and exercise enforcement/disciplinary authority over the businesses it oversees. The state Real Estate Appraisers Board and Real Estate Commission both have numerous sources of mortgage fraud information available for consumers.

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

The following resources are available to Georgia residents who may have been affected by mortgage fraud or wish to learn more about the issue..


Office of the Attorney General of Georgia
http://law.ga.gov/
40 Capitol Square, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone: (404) 656-3300

Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs
http://consumer.georgia.gov/
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., SE, Suite 356
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4600
Phone: (404) 651-8600

Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
http://dbf.georgia.gov/
Legal and Consumer Affairs Division
2990 Brandywine Road, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30341-5565
Phone: (770) 986-1657

Georgia Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board
www.grec.state.ga.us/
229 Peachtree Street, N.E.
International Tower, Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1605
Phone:404-656-3916

FBI Atlanta Division
http://atlanta.fbi.gov/
2635 Century Pkwy, NE, Suite 400
Atlanta, GA 30345-3112
Phone: (404) 679-9000

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Atlanta Regional Office
www.hud.gov/local/ga/working/atlantaoffice.cfm
Five Points Plaza
40 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA 30303-2806
Phone: (404) 331-5136

National Credit Union Administration
Region III - Atlanta
www.ncua.gov/AboutNcua/org/Region3.htm
7000 Central Parkway, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: (678) 443-3000
Email: Region3@ncua.gov

U.S. Treasury Office of Thrift Supervision
http://www.ots.treas.gov
Complaints: (800) 842-6929
E-mail: consumer.complaint@ots.treas.gov

Southeast Region Office
1475 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Phone: (404) 888-0771

National Fair Housing Alliance
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/Defaul...

Better Business Bureaus
The Better Business Bureau Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens & Northeast Georgia
www.atlanta.bbb.org
503 Oak Place, Suite 590
Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 766-0875
E-mail: info@atlanta.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau - Chattanooga
www.chattanooga.bbb.org
1010 Market Street, Ste. 200
Chattanooga, TN 37402-2614
Phone: (423) 266-6144
E-mail: tngabbb@bellsouth.net

Better Business Bureau of East Alabama, West and Southwest Georgia
www.columbus-ga.bbb.org
500 W. 12th St.
PO Box 2587
Columbus, GA 31902-2587
Phone: (706) 324-0712
E-mail: info@columbus-ga.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of the Southeast Atlantic
http://savannah.bbb.org
6606 Abercorn Street, Ste. 108C
Savannah, GA 31405-5817
Phone: (912) 354-7522
E-mail: bbbsea@bellsouth.net

Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia
www.centralgeorgia.bbb.org
277 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Ste. 102
Macon, GA 31201-3495
Phone: (478) 742-7999
E-mail: info@centralgeorgia.bbb.org