Let your voice be heard

Are you one of those people who will stand up and say something about an issue that you think is wrong?  How do you go about finding others who also feel the same way that you do?  Blogs and social networking sites can be a great way for you connect with like minded people so that you can join together to try and make an impact to change the issues that are important to you.

Since I have a Twitter account I get a notification when I get a new follower, and I always check out that new follower's page to see if they are connected to any resources that might be a good fit to team up with.  Here are a few recent ones that I wanted to share with you.

 LoanFraudVictim - This Twitter user has a website at http://wellsfargomortgagefraud.com/ detailing the story of her battle to hold Wells Fargo accountable for the damage they did.

NetWatchDog - This Twitter user is from the website http://theinternetwatchdog.com/ which is filled with information on internet scams and fraud.

WFmortmodscam - Working to keep Wells Fargo Home Mortgage or another lender from stealing your home? It's time to fight back! Blogging at wellsfargomortgagemodscam.com/blog/

BanksGoneBad - Florida mortgage pro who has seen banks fraudulently foreclose on homeowners as well as perpetrate fraud on investors and bond holders. I'm helping 2 fight back  http://banksgonebad.com/

Scam fighting - 2010

As 2009 comes to a close and we enter into 2010 I wanted to share the New Year’s Resolution that we have at Scam Victims United . . . to bring scam education and awareness to people across the country.

One of the ways that we plan to do this is with events called Scam Jam. These events are the brainchild of Chuck Whitlock an investigative reporter, author and speaker. If you have ever been to a Home and Garden Show or Wedding Expo, imagine that same experience and setting focusing on scams and fraud. There are presentations, workshops and speakers on various topics such as

ID Theft
Internet Scams
Investment Fraud
Health Care Scams
Bank Fraud
Elder Fraud
Charity Scams
Mortgage Fraud
Phishing Scams
Credit Card and Check Schemes
Contractor Fraud
Food/Supplement Fraud
Mail Fraud

Presenters include local media personalities sharing their best investigative reporting stories that expose scams, law enforcement groups, lawyers and legal experts, and even former scam victims sharing their story of victimization to recovery. Beyond the workshops and presentations, people attending a Scam Jam can interact with Consumer Protection groups in the Exhibitors Room. These professionals can assist them with their scam and fraud related questions, and offer then resources to assist them recovery efforts. You may even be able to purchase one of Chuck Whitlock’s investigative books that exposes scams or books written by other presenters.

Scam Jam is a one stop shop for education and resources on scams, fraud and consumer protection.

We are currently scheduling dates for Scam Jam events for 2010. If your school, business or company would like to host a Scam Jam at your facility, or if you are a professional in the area of scam fighting and consumer protection that would like to be a part of a Scam Jam in your area, please contact us.


Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Support Scam Victims United by shopping at
http://shopittous.blogspot.com/

Mortgage Scam

From http://www.rwbpress.com/2009/12/28/foreclosure-assistance-and-home-loan-mortgage-modification-program-avoid-scams/

There are scams related to foreclosure assistance and the home loan mortgage modification program as many homeowners in need of assistance are turning to anyone who appears to have the answers. Some lenders involved with the home loan mortgage modification process are causing frustration for homeowners, so they look for other sources of aid, but scams seem to be more and more common, so be on guard.

Foreclosure and home loan modification scams commonly are trying to take advantage of those who are seeking counsel or advice. There are countless resources, like makinghomeaffordable.gov, to help those in need of foreclosure assistance through a home loan mortgage modification. However, if someone is seeking to collect a fee for services on foreclosure avoidance or a home loan modification, they are either not reputable, seeking to profit from your misfortune, or both.

Never sign over the deed to your home to anyone other than your mortgage lender. Many foreclosure and home loan modification scams are trying to acquire your home for their own gain, so never transfer ownership of your home. Outside of your direct lender, there is really nothing anyone can do if you sign over your deed to your home.

If someone is seeking a mortgage payment and they aren’t your lender and haven’t been directly approved by your lender to receive the payment, do not pay. Scam artists will run cons where they spin the idea they can help you avoid foreclosure or obtain a home loan modification of you pay your mortgage to them, but this again is false.

Foreclosure is a horrible thing to face and the home loan mortgage modification process can be just as difficult, but it’s worth the trouble to save your house. However, realize there are individuals who would love nothing more to profit from the loss of your home, so unless you are dealing with an accredited lender, stay vigilant.

For more information, see: http://makinghomeaffordable.gov

Mortgage Fraud

This press release can be found at http://tampa.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2009/ta110409.htm

TAMPA—United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton today announced the results of a nine-month-long Mortgage Fraud Surge investigation that has resulted in charges against more than 100 defendants and involves allegations concerning more than $400 million in loans procured by fraud and more than 700 properties. U.S. Attorney Albritton is holding events throughout the district this week to highlight the announcement.

There are currently mortgage fraud-related charges pending against approximately 500 defendants in federal mortgage fraud cases around the nation. The cases concern both mortgage schemes designed to defraud mortgage lenders and “foreclosure rescue schemes” which prey on distressed homeowners.

“This initiative sends a clear message that mortgage fraud will not be tolerated. We must protect the integrity of the real estate market in our communities, which is a major contributor to the health of our economy, here and throughout the country,” said U.S. Attorney Albritton.

Florida’s Mortgage Fraud Surge was launched in late January 2009 in response to the epidemic of mortgage fraud throughout the state, which began during Florida’s real estate boom earlier this decade. To address this wide scale problem, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in both its Tampa and Jacksonville Divisions, began a nine-month intensive effort to identify, investigate, and prosecute mortgage fraud in all of its forms.

To accomplish the Surge, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida devoted significant additional personnel and resources to investigating and prosecuting mortgage fraud cases. All of the Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Ft. Myers, Orlando, and Jacksonville offices responsible for criminal matters handled mortgage fraud investigations, and in the District’s largest office, Tampa, over half of the Criminal Division Assistant U.S. Attorneys were assigned mortgage fraud matters. In addition, FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven E. Ibison of the Tampa Division and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jim Casey of the Jacksonville Division established mortgage fraud task forces in their respective jurisdictions. A number of state and federal law enforcement agencies joined these mortgage fraud task forces, and the agents, investigators, and other law enforcement personnel from these participating agencies conducted an intensive and wide-ranging investigation into hundreds of mortgage fraud leads during this Surge phase. Along with the FBI, the agencies that joined in the Surge and who participated in the mortgage fraud task forces are: the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Financial Services/Division of Insurance Fraud, Florida Office of Financial Regulation, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Lee County Sheriff’s Office (Ft. Myers Division only), Collier County Sheriff’s Office (Ft. Myers Division only) and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (Orlando Division only).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged mortgage fraud defendants throughout the Middle District of Florida. The number of defendants charged by office breaks down as follows: Ft. Myers-32; Tampa-30; Orlando-19; and Jacksonville-24. Of these defendants, 7 are related to cases under seal and not in the public record at this juncture.

An indictment or complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

The surge investigation completed on October 31, 2009, and announced today is the first phase of a continuing effort to investigate and prosecute not only mortgage fraud professionals and other individuals who have engaged in multiple fraudulent mortgage transactions, but also larger organizations and even financial institutions.