Florida AG: Mortgage Fraud Crisis Like A "State Of Emergency"

The Tampa Tribune reports:

• As more Floridians face losing their homes to foreclosure, more crooks emerge to take advantage of them, and the state's attorney general says the problem has become a crisis. [...] "This mortgage fraud crisis is similar to a state of emergency. It will take an all-hands-on-deck approach between our state's agencies to effectively address our citizens' concerns," McCollum said. Mortgage fraud topped the list of complaints logged by his office in 2008, and the state has pursued civil and criminal action against dozens of companies and individuals accused of mortgage fraud. [... Mortgage] Rescue fraud continues to be the top mortgage fraud complaint by homeowners. Many say companies are taking their money and not helping them modify their mortgages.

Source: Florida Mortgage Fraud Crisis Called 'State Of Emergency'

See also, Florida Attorney General press release: Attorney General Calls for Cooperative Approach to State's Mortgage Fraud Issues (Situation likened to a “state of emergency”).

Go here for a sample of AG McCollum's letter to Florida regulators.