West Virginia - Mortgage Fraud Resources

Mortgage fraud through identity theft is a common mortgage fraud scheme, and is a type of fraud that has been specifically realized in West Virginia.

Mortgage fraud through identity theft occurs in several different ways. First a person may apply for a loan for a new home or for a home equity loan using someone else's personal and financial information. The home equity loan is most often on the house that is already being lived in, thus making this the easiest hoax to commit. Knowledge of an individual's date of birth, social security number, as well as address makes it easy for victimization to occur.

Second, mortgage fraud may occur in a fake sale of a home. One thief will assume a fake identity and "sell" the property to another thief. With mortgage loan money in hand, both thieves get away and no real sale occurs. A large mortgage fraud ring in West Virginia was broken up in early 2009 by the FBI which had been committing fraud in such a way.

In the end, both banks and homeowners in West Virginia were hurt by such fraud. Many hours and much money may be required to correct the credit problems that are a result of identity theft, particularly when the theft results in large sums of money being stolen.

For those who may have been affected by mortgage fraud, or who simply wish to learn more about the issue, there are a variety of resources available. Some of the main ones and their contact information are listed below.

The FBI plays an active role in investigating frauds of all kinds.  FBI offices around the country work in conjunction 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 state's Department of Banking helps to set rules, investigate complaints and exercise enforcement/disciplinary authority over the businesses it oversees. The West Virginia Real Estate Commission and Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board each 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 businesses should operate and takes steps to ensure that consumers are treated fairly.

West Virginia Office of the Attorney General
http://www.wvago.gov/
State Capitol Complex,
Bldg. 1, Room E-26
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: (304) 558-2021

Consumer Protection and Anti-Trust Division
http://www.wvago.gov/consumers.cfm
P.O. Box 1789, Charleston, WV 25326
Charleston, WV 25305-9924
Phone: (304) 558-8986  
Consumer Hotline: (800) 368-8808

West Virginia Division of Banking
www.wvdob.org/
One Players Club Drive
Suite 300
Charleston, WV 25311-1638
Phone: (304) 558-2294

West Virginia Real Estate Commission
www.wvrec.org/
300 Capitol Street, Suite 400
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-3555

West Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board
http://www.wvappraiserboard.org
2110 Kanawha Blvd. East, Suite 101
Charleston, WV 25311
Phone: (304) 558-3919
Email: wvappbd@mail.wvnet.edu

FBI Pittsburgh Field Office
http://pittsburgh.fbi.gov/
3311 East Carson St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
Phone: (412) 432-4000

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Charleston Field Office
www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=wv
405 Capitol Street, Suite 708
Charleston, WV 25301-1795
Phone: (304) 347-7000
TTY: (304) 347-5332
Email: WV_Webmanager@hud.gov

National Credit Union Administration
Region II - Capital
www.ncua.gov/AboutNcua/org/Region2.htm
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3437
Phone: (703) 519-4600
Email: Region2@ncua.gov

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
Email: consumer.complaint@ots.treas.gov

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

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

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

Better Business Bureaus
Better Business Bureau/Greater West Virginia
www.cantonbbb.org
910 Quarrier Street
P.O. Box 2541
Charleston, WV 25329-2541
Phone: (304) 345-7502
Toll-free (866) 228-1820
Email: info@cantonbbb.org