Comments on: The Fraud Witch-Hunt Will Begin Soon. Are You Safe?

By: Beth Levine

Beth Levine — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:41:50 +0000

Matt is spot on, Kim is living in “LaLa Land”. There are THOUSANDS & THOUSANDS of NEW Federal Rules and Regulations that even most real estate attorneys are not familiar with; just too many, not unlike the tax code. Read, read, read? Yes, a good thing. But if one thinks that will keep them safe from the long arm and ambiguity of the Federal Rules and Regulations, then my friend, I hope you never find yourself on that end of the stick. The ONLY protection you may have is to maintain an ongoing relationship with a real estate attorney. Ask for a discount as you will have him check and give his Legal opinion of all of your tranactions, IN WRITING. If the Feds ever come knocking, then you will at least have what is referred to as an Affirmative Defense; you relied on the advise of expert counsel. This is the ONLY way to protect ones self in this day of the Federal Witch Hunt. Some may be guilty, many are not, they just did not know. It is just as Matt said and there are people sitting in Federal prison today, with LONG sentences; people like you who just didn’t know. Don’t judge too quickly or take this too lightly; you may be next and crying “fowl” when it is at you back door-Good luck to all in the industry today!-Beth

By: Kim Wood

Kim Wood — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:01:58 +0000

What is it they say? Ignorance is no excuse….. It is scary out there sometimes – we have a lot we have to keep informed about. Read, read, read – and if you don’t understand – ask !

Thanks for the reminder – and good to see you this week

By: Matt Stigliano

Matt Stigliano — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:40:05 +0000

Danilo – Federal charges makes it even scarier. I guess the government has to show they’re doing something about it and if they get some of the “crooks” then its a good thing. I do fear the idea that not knowing something can still lead you to trouble…especially when it comes to your short sale example. Its a double edged sword…we’re not tax accountants and can get in trouble for giving financial advice in many respects, but not reviewing someone’s finances can get us in trouble too. Its a fine line at times.

By: Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:58:34 +0000

We had the FBI in 2 years ago in Ann Arbor. It was a great learning experience.

My daughter last year got a referral, she met with them, talked to them. She felt like it was fraud. We called our attorney, he put us in charge of the FBI division to report.

We told them the whole story, no contracts were written yet.

Here is the issue: She had to come forward publicly for them to move forward. No way to keep her identity hidden. So we said no.

A few weeks ago she ran into the guy who referred them to her. She apologized and said “I’m sorry, I just was not comfortable working with them.” She gave no reason.

He said, “don’t worry they are in jail.”

By: Mark Eibner

Mark Eibner — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:17:25 +0000

we're at it again The Fraud Witch-Hunt Will Begin Soon. Are You Safe?: Get out of your feed rea.. http://tinyurl.com/d92pbx

By: sheilabragg

sheilabragg — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:29:57 +0000

The Fraud Witch-Hunt Will Begin Soon. Are You Safe?: Get out of your feed reader and comment on this post- we PR.. http://tinyurl.com/d92pbx