Mortgage Lending Goes on the Road
Mortgage fraud, mortgage compliance and reverse mortgage lending are among topics being addressed at mortgage conferences. Mortgage licenses, mortgage leads and mortgage legislation are the areas of focus at several other events. Much of the latest activity is happening in the nation's capitol.

From May 13 to May 15, the Fourth Annual Fraud and Forensic Accounting Education Conference will be held in Atlanta, a February news release indicated.

The convention is being sponsored by the accounting firm of Porter Keadle Moore and Georgia Southern University in conjunction with the Center for Forensic Studies in Accounting and Business.
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Appraisers Oppose Short-Sale Plan
U.S. appraisers warn that a government plan to encourage short sales will only raise the risk of mortgage fraud. The groups noted that scammers have turned their attention from flipping to "flopping."

Mortgage Fraud Summit
The first of several events focusing on mortgage fraud was attended today by the U.S. Department of Justice, bank representatives and mortgage lenders.

Risk of Valuation Fraud Skyrockets in CA Areas
The risk of mortgage fraud is higher in several areas of California than any other metropolitan areas of the country -- pushing the risk of fraud in the Golden State higher than in any other state. In fact, the risk of property valuation fraud has more than tripled in four California areas -- the worst in the country.

2009 Mortgage Fraud Index Jumps
The number of mortgage fraud cases increased last year, though the dollar amount held steady, according to MortgageDaily.com's fourth-quarter 2009 mortgage fraud index. Activity was worst in Florida and Nevada.

HUD Rampage Continues
Following a bloodbath last week when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced actions against more than 200 mortgagees, the agency reported five more firms that faced further actions. Concerns about mortgage fraud was an issue at one of the companies.

Mortgage Fraud Growth Slows
New government data indicate that mortgage fraud activity is beginning to ease.

3 Face Sentences for Mortgage Crimes A former mortgage broker who stole more than $100,000 from a reverse mortgage borrower has been sentenced to six years in prison despite showing up at his sentencing with a $50,000 check for his victim. In another case, a Texas woman was sentenced for cleverly diverting proceeds from loan closings to her personal accounts. A third case has a former bank executive admitting that he cooked the books and facing sentencing along with two other related defendants who are accused of mortgage fraud.

Criminal Mortgage Actions
A Colorado firm and its top originator are accused of deceiving prospective borrowers and committing mortgage fraud, while a Pennsylvania woman is accused of stealing appraisal fees from her employer. A New York attorney has joined a law firm where he hopes to help white collar defendants.

Investor Lawsuits Include Criminal Actions
Among several investor lawsuits to recently see legal action were cases where criminal charges were filed. In one case, the defendants are also accused of more than $100 million in mortgage fraud.