Fraud is commonly defined as any purposeful deception that is practiced in an effort to secure an illegal or unjust financial gain. Breaking California’s real estate and mortgage fraud laws will subject you to prosecution under the broader area of the state’s general fraud laws. Real estate fraud is any intentional misrepresentation that is made regarding any part of a real estate deal. A knowledgeable San Francisco white collar criminal defense attorney can advise you regarding your personal situation or involvement in the violation of any related state laws.
At the beginning of 2011, new laws were enacted to shield consumers from real estate fraud, which includes without restriction the expansion of the foreclosure consultant law to include someone who performs forensic audits or reviews of residential mortgage loans; the requirement that any mailed solicitations that offer to supply copies of an owner’s grant deed or other types of title records for a fee include a clearly visible statutory disclosure that the copy service is not connected in any way with any governmental agency and that the homeowner can get such records from the county recorder; and the increasing of the criminal penalty for renting out a residence without the owner’s consent from six months incarceration, plus a $1,000 fine, to one year imprisonment and a $2,500 fine.
If you have been accused of real estate fraud, or if you believe you are under suspicion, you need the services of a San Francisco white collar criminal defense attorney. Call Chris Morales for a free consultation.
