Archived reporting from 2012, updated October 13, 2025, for continuity.

Overview of the Mortgage Fraud Index

MortgageDaily.com’s Mortgage Fraud Index measures shifts in mortgage fraud activity across the United States. The index compiles verified and assesses information from court filings, regulatory actions, and industry analyses to showcase where and how fraudulent activity occurs.

Its purpose is to give lenders, regulators, and consumers a clear view of evolving threats within the mortgage market—from regional hot spots to the most common fraudulent tactics.

Key Findings
Florida led the nation in mortgage fraud during early 2012, fueled by a sharp rise in foreclosure-rescue operations and straw-buyer schemes. California and Nevada followed closely, where loan-modification scams and identity-theft-related cases were widespread.

The overall pattern of fraud changed markedly after the housing crisis, moving away from origination-stage schemes toward foreclosure and refinancing fraud, as homeowners and lenders dealt with the fallout of the market collapse.

Purpose and Methodology
The Mortgage Fraud Index is built from a consistent and transparent data set. It works in tandem with public records, including federal and state court filings, regulatory enforcement documents, and reliable media sources. Each fraud case contributes to a relative scoring system, allowing the index to compare quarter-over-quarter activity and highlight trends over time.

The result is a dependable snapshot of mortgage-related crime and enforcement patterns across the country.

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