Wisconsin - Mortgage Fraud Resources

Wisconsin over the years has created stricter laws to address the growing issue of mortgage fraud. Departments like the Wisconsin Association of Mortgage Brokers work with local law enforcement agencies to enforce state and federal regulations.

Mortgage lenders need to be licensed to practice in Wisconsin, and a detailed history of each lender is required. There are numerous mortgage violations that involve intentionally misleading borrowers and failing to provide required Truth in Lending disclosures. These Truth in Lending issues have been a core component of many types of mortgage fraud that have occurred in Wisconsin from 2006-09, according to state records.

There are many other resources that can help consumers handle the idea or mortgage fraud in addition to the Wisconsin Mortgage Brokers Association.

The FBI plays a lead role in investigating mortgage fraud, the FBI offices around the country work in conjunction with the offices of state and the 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 and can provide guidance to borrowers on what questions they should ask while shopping for reputable lenders.

Credit union and banking related organizations help to set guidelines that their lenders should follow. Those departments can also help their customers select reputable lenders, and can provide education and guidance to consumers.

The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, along with the state Real Estate Board and Board of Real Estate Appraisers, investigates complaints against licensees under its jurisdiction and may take disciplinary action when warranted.

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


Office of the Attorney General
www.doj.state.wi.us/
Wisconsin Department of Justice
P.O. Box 7857
Madison, WI 53707-7857
Phone: (608) 266-1221  

Office of Consumer Protection
Phone: (608) 266-1852
Toll-free: (800) 998-0700

Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
http://www.wdfi.org/
345 W Washington Avenue
Madison, WI  53703
Phone: (608) 261-9555
TTY: (608) 266-8818
Toll-Free: (800) 452-3328

Office of Consumer Affairs
PO Box 8041
Madison, WI  53708-8041
Phone: (608) 264-7969

Mortgage Banking Bureau
PO Box 7876
Madison, WI  53707-7876
Phone: (608) 26107578

Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing
Real Estate Board
http://drl.wi.gov/boards/reb/index.htm
PO Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935
Phone: (608) 266-5511 ext. 43
Email: web@drl.state.wi.us

Real Estate Appraisers Board
http://drl.wi.gov/boards/app/index.htm
PO Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935
Phone: (608) 266-5511
Toll-free: (800) 947-3529
TTY: (608) 267-2416

Wisconsin Association of Mortgage Brokers
http://www.wambrokers.com/
16 North Carroll Street, Suite 900
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 259-9262
Email: info@wmpa.info

FBI Field Office
Milwaukee Division
http://milwaukee.fbi.gov/
330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 600
Milwaukee, WI 53202-6627
Phone: (414) 276-4684
Email: milwaukee@ic.fbi.gov

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Milwaukee Field Office
www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=wi&topic=offices
310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Room 1380
Milwaukee, WI 53203-2289
Phone: (414) 297-3214
TTY: (414) 297-1423
Email: wiwebmanager@hud.gov

National Credit Union Administration
Region IV - Austin
www.ncua.gov/AboutNcua/org/Region4.htm
4807 Spicewood Springs Rd., Suite 5200
Austin, TX 78759-8490
Phone: (512) 342-5600
Email: Region4@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

Central Region Office
1 South Wacker Drive - Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Phone (312) 917-5000

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 Bureau of Wisconsin
www.wisconsin.bbb.org
Milwaukee Office
10101 W. Greenfield Avenue, Suite 125
West Allis, WI 53214
Phone: (414) 847-6000
Toll-free: (800) 273-1002
Email: info@wisconsin.bbb.org

Northeast Wisconsin Regional Office
1047 N. Lynndale Drive, Ste. 1A
Appleton, WI 54914
Phone: (920) 734-4352