According to the FBI, real estate fraud is one of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the United States. From 2003 to 2004, reports of mortgage fraud jumped 146% and jumped another 28% from 2004 to 2005.With seven out of ten Americans owning their own homes, a huge number of people are potentially susceptible to this burgeoning crime epidemic. In Protect Yourself from Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud, real estate investors, professionals, and consumers will discover how to spot the signs of a scam and learn how to recover should they fall victim to fraud. With detailed overviews of each type of real estate fraud and compelling case studies illustrating exactly how these scams unfold, this comprehensive book will arm anyone with the necessary information to spot the warning signs, avoid becoming an unwilling victim or unwitting accomplice, and stop the con artists in their tracks.