Fraud can come in a number of different forms including identity fraud, investment scams, mortgage fraud and title fraud. If someone steals your cell phone you may encounter wireless fraud. Fraud means misrepresenting yourself or some fact about yourself to gain something unlawfully. Read, watch and listen to Think Glink content to learn about the different kinds of fraud and how to protect yourself.
Don’t Get Caught In Investment Scams
Be wary of investment scams. If you know about Ponzi schemes, unlicensed securities dealers, and other investing scams, you are less likely to join the ranks of the many unfortunate investment fraud victims out there, some of whom have lost their entire life's savings to these scams.
Mortgage Fraud: Homeowner Outside Lending Territory, No Fee Refund
A homeowner applies for a refinance and is denied because they are outside the lending territory of the lender, but the mortgage broker has not returned their application and commitment fees. Ilyce believes they have been victims of mortgage fraud, because the mortgage broker should have known the homeowner was outside the lending territory. Ilyce's advice: contact the Attorney General's office to report mortgage fraud.
Identity Theft Victim Action Items
What can you do if you've been the victim of identity theft? It's unusual for the Social Security Administration to issue a new number, even in cases of identity theft, so you should work with the credit reporting bureaus to clean up your credit. When someone has stolen your identity you should also contact the police and your creditors.
Real Estate Attorney Best For Help With Real Estate Fraud
What should you do if you believe you are a victim of real estate fraud. Ilyce and Sam advice her to consult with a real estate attorney who can untangle the mess caused by the real estate fraud. Besides getting a good real estate attorney, Ilyce and Sam suggest filing a complaint with the real estate company who perpetrated the real estate fraud.
Identity Theft Can Lead To Fradulent Tax Returns
The latest trend in identity theft is to steal social security numbers and file a false tax return. Avoid identity theft and tax fraud by protecting your social security number and personal information.
Undisclosed Problem Surfaces Four Years After Purchase
A buyer asks if they have any options regarding an undisclosed problem that the sellers knew about. Buyers often have no recourse unless you can prove the sellers fraudulently deceived you. The time to catch undisclosed problems is at the time of the purchase with a good home inspector.
Home Repairs After Natural Disaster
Thousands of homeowners file home repair fraud complaints with their state attorney general's office each year. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recently offered up ten warning signs that your contractor may not be legitimate.
Investment and Securities Fraud – Filing A Complaint
Have you been the victim of investment or securities fraud? Here's where to go for help.
Used Car Purchase Fraud
Purchasers must do their homework ahead of time. After purchasing a used car, the car fails emission tests. The dealer has had the car for four weeks to fix the problem, but it hasn't happened. The owner would like a refund but is refuses. This sounds like fraud and the purchaser should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.