Testimony of the Honorable David A. Montoya, Inspector General, before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies on HUD Management Issues (03/14/2013)

Testimony of The Honorable David A. Montoya Inspector General Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on HUD Management Issues (03/29/2012)

While the majority of companies promoting FHA reverse mortgages are safe there are some mortgage fraudsters out to take your money, your house, or even your identity. Reading this alert is your best defense. A reverse mortgage allows borrowers to convert part of the equity in their homes into cash without having to sell their homes. To aid in this process, borrowers must meet with an FHA-approved Reverse Mortgage Lender to discuss program…

HUD OIG drafted a fraud bulletin outlining potential common reverse mortgage schemes that borrowers may face, along with actions to take and not take if you are considering a reverse mortgage loan.

Protect yourself and avoid falling victim to Section 8 housing voucher fraud schemes.

Be aware! Mortgage loan modification scams are schemes to take your money, often by making a false promise of saving you from foreclosure.

Be aware! Phone and computer scammers may contact you and claim to be from the government. These scammers may threaten you with jail or fines if you do not send them cash or gift cards within a short period.

Landlords cannot change the rent without obtaining approval from the local housing authority and cannot avoid Federal rent limits by making side deals with tenants.

Fraudulent deed activity can impact anyone who might buy, sell, or own property; however, the elderly, distressed homeowners, and unwitting buyers and renters have been particularly impacted by this scheme.

Reverse mortgages are complex loans, making them the perfect breeding ground for a scam. Scammers use this type of loan to take advantage of older Americans— stealing their hard-earned money and, in some cases, their homes.

Be aware that individuals purporting to be landlords are listing properties for rent that they do not own on various rental websites. These impostor landlords may be part of a complex organized criminal enterprise operating outside of the United States.

Identity theft is a common fraud scheme that can negatively impact HUD programs and its beneficiaries. ID theft happens when someone steals your personal information or create false identities to commit fraud, such as using a stolen identity to apply for and illegally receive HUD benefits.

Did you know there is a law that protects families from exposure to lead from paint, dust, and soil? The Residential Lead-Based Paint Reduction Act, also known as Title X, was enacted in 1992 and includes provisions focused on educating the public on lead-based health risks and the proper steps to abate or remove the hazards of lead-based paint.