Mortgage fraud is when mortgages are obtained fraudulently.
Mortgage fraud usually involves individual(s) or organised criminal gangs and at least one corrupt associate, such as an accountant, solicitor or surveyor.
Mortgage fraud can include:
- over-valuing properties
- overstating a salary or income
- hijacking genuine conveyancing processes
- taking out mortgages in the name of unsuspecting individuals or those who are deceased after identity theft
- taking out a number of mortgages with different lenders on one address by manipulating Land Registry data
- changing title deeds without an owner’s knowledge to allow the sale of a property.
Owners who are concerned their property might be subject to a fraudulent sale or mortgage can quickly alert Land Registry and speak to specially trained staff for practical guidance about what to do next by calling their Property Fraud Line on 0300 006 7030. The line is open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
If fraud has been committed, report it to Action Fraud.