Resources
Local Law Enforcement Agencies
If you are an apparent victim of a real estate fraud-related crime, you should report the potential crime to your local law enforcement agency. The appropriate agency is generally the one with jurisdiction over the area in which the property in question is located. Law enforcement agencies’ phone numbers are available in the Government section of any phone book.
Ventura County District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Unit
The Real Estate Fraud Unit actively investigates and prosecutes people who commit real estate fraud.
Download Real Estate Fraud Complaint Forms
Download Real Estate Fraud Complaint Form
English
Spanish
Download real estate fraud prevention forms.
Download “Don’t let Real Estate Fraud Scam you out of your house form”
Download “the Warning; Not For Rent Poster”
Government Agencies
Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline
State of California Consumer Home Mortgage Information, Homeownership Preservation and Foreclosure Avoidance. Available 24 hours. Help available in multiple languages.
(888)995-HOPE (4673)
California Bureau of Real Estate
Use this link to check on a real estate licensee’s status. You can find out is an agent has an active license or if they have been subject to any disciplinary actions by the California Dept. of Real Estate.
Federal Making Home Affordable Website
Information about the federal Government’s programs to prevent foreclosure. Information on federally sponsored loan modification programs and links to find out if your loan is owned by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
Ventura County Superior Court
Self-Help Legal Access Center. The Superior Court has family law and non-family law self-help centers to assist persons who represent themselves in court. There is no income eligibility requirement to use these services. They are available to all members of the community.
Industry Related Organizations
California Association of Mortgage Brokers
Loan workout and modification assistance.
(805)816-6899
Ventura County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Services Program
Help with civil real estate related disputes.
(805)650-7599
Ventura County Coastal Association of REALTORS
Assistance making complaints regarding licensed agent members.
(805)981-2100
http://vccar.net/
National Assoc. of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Click here
Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of REALTORS
Assistance making complaints regarding licensed agent members. Click here
Non-profit Agencies
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation of Ventura County
Home ownership, foreclosure counseling and resource center; Spanish assistance available.
(805)659-3791
Money Management International
Credit counseling, foreclosure prevention counseling and borrower education. (Formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service.)
Neighborworks® America
NeighborWorks America is a national, nonprofit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance and training for community-based revitalization efforts. Their website is a valuable educational resource on the common scams targeting homeowners in financial distress.
1(888)995-4673
Fraud Reporting
Freddie Mac (Federal) Fraud Hotline
If you think someone has been a victim of mortgage fraud and Freddie Mac owns the mortgage please let Freddie Mac know. A quick call to their Fraud Hotline can make a difference.
1 (800) 437-2838
California Bureau of Real Estate
If you have questions about appropriate real estate license activities or real estate transactions, contact the Los Angeles District Office:
320 West 4th Street, Suite 350
Los Angeles CA 90013-1105
California Bureau of Real Estate Mortgage Lending Unit
If you have questions on mortgage practices, complaints, compliance, or advertisements, contact the Mortgage Lending unit at (916) 227-0770; Fax number is (916) 227-0777; PO Box 187000, Sacramento, CA 95818-7000
Don’t Borrow Trouble Ventura County Service Provider Hotline
Access service providers throughout Ventura County who offer free assistance for real estate-related concerns. Habla Espanol. Available 24 hours.
Dial 2-1-1 or 800-339-9597 from cell phones
Education
Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure-HUD
Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure
1 (800) 437-2838
State of California Consumer Home Mortgage Information
Here you will find helpful information and links if you are considering buying a home, or if you already own a home, or have a mortgage and may be experiencing difficulty in keeping your payments current.
Mortgage Professor
Unbiased website offering borrower education information and useful tools to assist the consumer. Hosted by Jack M. Guttentag, a Professor of Finance Emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and founder of GHR Systems, Inc., a mortgage technology company.