Mortgage Fraud: Data Confirms Spike in 2006-2007

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has released an analysis of Mortgage Fraud SAR Filings in Calendar Year 2012. The report was issued on August 20, 2013. This publication updates FinCEN’s prior Mortgage Loan Fraud (MLF) assessments examines Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filings from January through December 2012 (CY 2012).

The report provides new information on the volume of SAR filings, geographic locations of subjects, and other filing trends in CY 2012. Tables covering non-geographic aspects are compared with filings from corresponding periods in2011. A section provides updated statistics on foreclosure rescue-related SARs during 2012, and filers’ voluntary use of the new FinCEN SAR e-filing report for voluntary mortgage fraud reporting through March 31, 2013.

This article offers an outline of the FinCEN report. Please visit our Library to download it.

IN THIS ARTICLE

MLF SAR Filings by Year SAR Received, 2001-2012

Mortgage Loan Fraud (MLF) SARs
Time Elapsed from Activity Date to Reporting Date

Number of Mortgage Loan Fraud SAR Filings by Year
with and without the Term “Repurchase” in Narrative

Mortgage Loan Fraud SAR Subjects - Top 20 States and Territories

Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Number of Mortgage Loan Fraud SAR Filings by Year
with Term “Foreclosure Rescue” in Narrative, 2003-2012

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MLF SAR Filings by Year SAR Received, 2001-2012

FinCEN’s data on suspected mortgage fraud shows that reports declined 25% in 2012  (from 92,561 to 69,277) as compared to the previous year. The past three years of suspected mortgage fraud suspicious activity reports (MLF SARs), if counted by the date they were received by FinCEN, accounted for approximately 46% of the past decade’s mortgage fraud SARs.

We take this to mean that filing increases or decreases are not necessarily indicative of overall increases or decreases in MLF activities over a bracketed period, as the volume of SAR filings in any given period does not directly correlate to the number or timing of suspected fraudulent incidents in that period.

However, one of the inherent features of mortgage fraud is that the suspicious activity associated with it is often only recognized and reported years after loan origination, after a review of origination documents is prompted by a loan default, repurchase demand, or other factors. As a result, many mortgage fraud SARs are filed much later than the date that the suspicious activity actually began. Thus, in 2012, 57% of SARs reported mortgage loan fraud (MLF) activities that started more than 5 years before the SAR was filed.

The bulk of FinCEN’s MLF SARs, regardless of filing date, references suspicious activity that the filers believe began in calendar years 2006 and 2007.

Mortgage Loan Fraud (MLF) SARs
Time Elapsed from Activity Date to Reporting Date

This chart depicts the number of annual mortgage fraud SAR filings based on the year FinCEN received the SAR versus the year that the filer believed the suspicious activity actually began (which was usually at the time of the loan origination).

It should be noted that the chart shows there was an extraordinary concentration of suspicious mortgage origination activity beginning in 2006 and 2007, the years immediately preceding the financial crisis of 2008.

Anti-Money Laundering–Red Flags and the SAR Narrative

Even though AML compliance for nonbanks has been in effect since August 13, 2012, many Residential Mortgage Lenders and Originators (RMLO) still seem to have considerable difficulty in two specific areas: how to determine when a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) should be filed, and which suspicious activity events or features may trigger the SAR filing requirement.

In one article, entitled Anti-Money Laundering Debuts for Nonbanks, I unpack the AML Program in a way that will provides some familiarity with the AML Compliance scope, while perhaps also making its implementation a bit less daunting than it might otherwise seem to be.

In another article, entitled Anti-Money Laundering Program: Preparation is Protection, I outlined many of the so-called Red Flags and other triggering events. In addition, I offered a way to construct a SAR narrative - the description to FinCEN about the alleged suspicious activity - that, based on years of experience auditing and implement AML compliance on behalf of our clients, best meets FinCEN's expectations of an informative statement. 

To give you an idea of the size and complexity of a well-constructed AML Program, my firm’s AML Program is well over fifty pages – which consists of a policy statement and numerous appendices for applicable procedures. This should give you some idea of the depth and detail needed for properly implementing AML compliance. The absence of or any inaccuracies in required program components may indicate a defective policy and procedures – the very tools needed to assist in detecting and preventing money laundering or other illegal activities conducted through mortgage banking conduits.

So, a word of caution is due: do not take the chance of buying an abbreviated or defective AML Program, in the hope of merely satisfying the “basic” FinCEN requirements. Obtaining a boilerplate document with your company’s name on it is regressive, and it is a tactic that Examiners are now regularly criticizing in adverse findings. 

These days, regulators are fully aware of this ‘short cut’ to compliance. An insufficient AML Program may cause adverse examination findings. Indeed, in some cases, template-driven policy and procedures may cause Examiners to escalate their regulatory review of an RMLO’s anti-money laundering implementation. 

AML compliance is a specialized area of mortgage compliance, necessitating genuine, practical, hands-on, regulatory compliance and experiential knowledge, and an AML Program must reflect precise policies and procedures that not only implement the SAR regulations but also conform to a company’s way of doing business. 

Therefore, an AML Program is one policy statement and set of procedures where the purchase price should not be an operative consideration. Caveat Emptor!

This is why I want to further outline the descriptive process of completing the SAR narrative, emphasizing a simple method I call The 5 W's and the How, and I will also provide details regarding both so-called Red Flags and triggering events. So, even if a company has a skimpy or defective AML policy and procedures, at least those who implement AML Compliance may be offered some rudimentary guidelines to consider in the practical experience of actually filing a SAR.

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IN THIS ARTICLE

The 5 W's and the How

Triggering Events

Documentation Red Flags

Applicant Red Flags

RMLO's Employee Red Flags

Library Resources

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The 5 W's and the How

If I were to choose the central feature of the SAR, I would select the SAR narrative. 

Each SAR requires a narrative to be provided by the SAR filer. 

Over time, my firm has compiled numerous examples of common patterns of suspicious activities from our audit and due diligence reviews. Based on our experience and FinCEN’s own stated guidance, we believe that there are five interrogative categories to be considered when writing a SAR narrative: who? what? when? where? and why?

FinCEN: SAR Narrative, PowerPoint, and Mortgage Loan Fraud

On September 18, 2012 FinCEN held an Informational Webinar regarding the new FinCEN Suspicious Activity Report (SAR).

The corresponding, full PowerPoint presentation of the recorded version of this Webinar is available HERE.

For those interested in actually viewing the Webinar, HERE is the link to the FinCEN webpage.

Recently, FinCEN issued two important reports (available in our Library): 

- SAR Activity Review – Trends, Tips & Issues (Issue 22)

- Mortgage Loan Fraud Update - Suspicious Activity Report Filings in 2nd Quarter 2012 

The first report offers significant insight and guidance in monitoring suspicious activity, and the second report provides important insights regarding SAR filings related to mortgage loan fraud. For years we have worked with our bank clients on auditing their SAR filings and AML compliance, and I can vouch for the practical advantages of reading these on-going FinCEN reports to enhance your risk management responsibilities.

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IN THIS ARTICLE

SAR Narrative: "5 W's and the How"

Mortgage Loan Fraud - Statistics and Charts

Foreclosure Rescue Scams on the Rise

California: Highest 2012-Q2 Foreclosure Rescue SARs

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SAR Narrative: "5 W's and the How"

In the recent SAR Activity Review, sections are provided that outline the basic aspects toward filing a SAR. In particular, the section  on writing an effective SAR Narrative is important to consider.

FinCEN rightly states that the narrative "is a critical part of the SAR because it is where the filer can summarize and provide a more  detailed description of the activity being reported." For that reason, it is essential that the narrative be clear, complete and thorough.

This section of the FinCEN report offers the "5 W's" that I have written about extensively as a way to develop the SAR narrative. (See, for instance, my article, Anti-Money Laundering Program - Preparation is Protection, August 2012.)

Our clients have learned  how to use this narrative method. The FinCEN report does not mention the "How" narrative that I have advocated - and which I will discuss below. In my view, the Anti-Money Laundering Program should have an appendix devoted exclusively to the SAR Narrative procedures, especially outlining  the "5 W's and the How" method of writing it.

The narrative must be clear, complete and thorough and the method I advocate is an effective means toward accomplishing these  goals.

FinCEN's outline is rather brief, so I will provide a much more extensive set of action steps for you to follow.

The following are the "5 W's" method provided by FinCEN, after which I will add some remarks about narrating the "How".

Who is conducting the suspicious activity?

While one section of the SAR form calls for specific suspect information, the narrative should be used to further describe the suspect or suspects, including occupation, position or title within the business, and the nature of the suspect’s business(es). If more than one individual or business is involved in the suspicious activity, identify all suspects and any known relationships amongst them in the Narrative Section.

While detailed suspect information may not always be available (i.e., in situations involving non-account holders), such information should be included to the maximum extent possible. Addresses for suspects are important: filing institutions should note not only the suspect’s primary street addresses, but also, other known addresses, including any post office box numbers and apartment numbers when applicable. Any identification numbers associated with the suspect(s) other than those provided earlier are also beneficial, such as passport, alien registration, and driver’s license numbers.

Mortgage Fraud and SARs

On August 16, 2012, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an Advisory to highlight activity related to mortgage loan fraud, especially as it pertains to Residential Mortgage Lenders and Originators (RMLOs). The issuance serves to further clarify suspicious financial activity that may require filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).*

The issuance consolidates certain information from previously issued FinCEN reports, and contains examples of common fraud schemes and potential "red flags" for activity related to mortgage loan fraud.

This Advisory, which consolidates certain information from previously issued FinCEN reports, contains examples of common fraud schemes and potential Red Flags for activity related to mortgage loan fraud. Furthermore, the data gathered supports the efforts of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF), the Treasury's broader initiative to ensure that U.S. financial institutions are not used as conduits for illicit activity, as well as the OIG's mortgage fraud initiatives of FinCEN and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

IN THIS ARTICLE

Types of Mortgage Loan Fraud

Possible Red Flags

Suspicious Activity Reporting

Contacting FinCEN

Library

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Types of Mortgage Loan Fraud

Based on the Advisory and previous mortgage fraud reports issued by FinCEN, the following list identifies certain types of mortgage loan fraud. These are primarily based upon schemes and scams frequently reported or described in SARs or identified by law enforcement authorities.

Occupancy Fraud

Occurs when borrowers, to obtain favorable loan terms, claim that subject properties will be their primary residences instead of vacation homes or investment properties. It also occurs when subjects apply for loans for properties that others, such as family members, will actually occupy.

Income Fraud

Includes both overstating income to qualify for larger mortgages and understating income to qualify for hardship concessions and modifications.

Appraisal Fraud

Includes both overstating home value to obtain more money from a sale of property or cash-out refinancing, and understating home value in connection with a plan to purchase a property at a discount to market value.

Employment Fraud

Includes misrepresenting whether, where, and for how long borrowers have been employed; whether borrowers are unemployed or collecting unemployment benefits; and whether borrowers are independent contractors or business owners.

Liability Fraud

Occurs when borrowers fail to list significant financial liabilities, such as other mortgages, car loans, or student loans, on mortgage loan applications. Without complete liability information, lenders cannot accurately assess borrowers' ability to repay debts.

Debt Elimination Schemes

Involves the use of fake legal documents and alternative payment methods to argue that existing mortgage obligations are invalid or illegal, or to purport to extinguish mortgage balances. Individuals orchestrating debt elimination schemes typically charge borrowers a fee for these debt elimination "services."

Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Targets financially distressed homeowners with fraudulent offers of services or advice aimed at stopping or delaying the foreclosure process. Some of these scams require homeowners to transfer title - or make monthly mortgage payments - to the purported "rescuer," rather than the real holder of the mortgage. Some foreclosure rescue scams require homeowners to pay fees before receiving "services," and are known as "advance fee" schemes.

Mortgage Fraud in California, Nevada, and Florida

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) released its First Quarter 2012 on June 26, 2012, entitled Mortgage Loan Fraud Update - Suspicious Activity Report Filings in 1st Quarter 2012.*

This update of mortgage loan fraud suspicious activity reports, known as MLF SARs, shows that California, Nevada, and Florida lead the nation in the number of MLF SAR subjects per capita.

Of the 50 most populous Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) ranked by the number of MLF SAR subjects reported, the top nine are MSAs located in California, Nevada, and Florida. The Californian cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Santa Ana ranked first in the nation for mortgage loan fraud SARs.

A closer look indicates that 19% of Q1 MLF SARs report activity that occurred within the past two years. Of this more recent activity, there were sharp increases in debt elimination schemes: comparatively, 14% reported in Q1-2012 versus 9% in Q1-2011. Foreclosure rescue scams show a dramatic increase: comparatively, 8% of these Q1-2012 filings versus less than 2% in Q1-2011.

In total, financial institutions filed 17,651 MLF SARs in the first quarter of 2012, which is down from 25,485 filed in the same quarter of 2011. According to the report, previous record levels were attributable to mortgage loan repurchase demands prompting reviews of dated mortgages. I would expect this trend to continue, inasmuch as 72% of Q1 filings are still reporting suspicious activity that occurred more than four years ago.

An interesting statistic is the extent to which mortgage fraud was prevented: 41% of the mortgage loan transactions were spotted and stopped before completion, up slightly from 40% in the CY 2011. However, that also means 59% of the subject transactions were not prevented before completion.

Let's look at some charts, sourced from the FinCEN report.

IN THIS ARTICLE

CHART 1:
Quarterly MLF Filings, Q1 2006 through Q1 2012
CHART 2:
Mortgage Loan Fraud - MLF SAR
CHART 3:
Mortgage Loan Fraud SAR Subjects-Top 20 States & Territories 
CHART 4:
Categories of Fraud Addressed in MLF SAR Narratives

New Fraud Patterns

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Chart 1: Quarterly MLF Filings, Q1 2006 through Q1 2012

FinCEN reported an unusual spike in MLF SAR filings during 2011 Q1 through Q3, primarily due to mortgage repurchase demands on banks. Those repurchase demands prompted review of mortgage loan origination and refinancing documents, where filers discovered fraud, which was then reported on SARs.

Chart 2: Mortgage Loan Fraud - MLF SARs

During both 2012 and 2011 Q1, a majority of reported activities actually began during or before 2008.

Chart 3: Mortgage Loan Fraud SAR Subjects - Top 20 States and Territories

Based on per capita rankings, California remained the top ranked state, as it was in Q4 and CY 2011. Nevada ranked 2nd, rising from its 5th place ranking in 2011 Q4. Florida's 3rd ranking was consistent with its showings between 2nd and 4th in the 2011 quarterly reports. Arizona and New York rounded out the top five per capita rankings. Arizona jumped into 4th from rankings in the 6th through 11th range during 2011, while New York jumped into 5th from rankings in the low to mid-teens during 2011.

Chart 4: Categories of Fraud Addressed in MLF SAR Narratives

Some noteworthy changes from CY 2011 include an increase in debt elimination schemes, which were addressed in 14% of 2012 Q1 sample SARs, up from 9% in CY 2011. In addition, foreclosure rescue scams (other than debt elimination) were noted in 8% of 2012 Q1 sample SARs, but had been described in less than 2% of CY 2011 reports. Appraisal fraud was described in 3% of 2011 Q1 reports, down from 12% of CY 2011 reports.

 

New Fraud Patterns

 

Homeowners' Insurance Fraud
FinCEN noted two SARs describing homeowners' insurance fraud related to mortgage fraud in the aftermath of home fires. In one instance, a home with two mortgages burned down. The borrower asked that the insurance check be payable to him instead of the mortgage lender, and did repay the first mortgage. But the subject ignored payment requests and subsequent demand letters from the filer on the second mortgage. In the other case, the filer suspected arson on a rental property insured for several times the mortgaged value. This subject repaid his mortgage loan with insurance proceeds and pocketed the additional insurance money.

Keys for Cash
One filer was notified by local law enforcement, based on a confirmed lead from a local realtor, about persons illegally occupying bank owned properties ("REOs"). The subjects moved into various bank owned properties claiming to have long term leases. However, the subjects' true objective appeared to be inducing lenders into paying them to vacate the premises.

Library

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

Mortgage Loan Fraud Update -
Suspicious Activity Report Filings in 1st Quarter 2012

June 26, 2012

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* Jonathan Foxx is the President & Managing Director of Lenders Compliance Group