Group works to raise awareness and provide resources for Nevadans in an effort to crack down on mortgage scams

November 24, 2009

Las Vegas, NV-- Nevada Senator Harry Reid today joined Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tony West, NeighborWorks Program Director Marietta Rodriguez and the members of the Nevada Foreclosure Task Force to raise awareness about mortgage fraud and law enforcement efforts in Nevada to prosecute it.  While mortgage fraud is a national issue that hurts Americans in every state, Las Vegas has become ground zero for the current mortgage crisis.  The group addressed federal legislation to prosecute mortgage fraud against Nevadans and assist struggling homeowners in reporting scams and communicating with their lenders.  Sen. Reid and his staff have taken on housing casework to help Nevadans who are struggling to stay in their homes.

“I have heard too many stories from Nevada families who are losing their homes, their equity and their fair share of the American Dream,” Reid said.  “The last thing Nevadans need is to worry about scam artists waiting to take advantage of them.  Thanks to the work of the people here today, and the work we’ve done in Congress, we are protecting families from perpetrators and stopping scams before they start.  The laws we’ve passed and the programs we’ve created not only give the authorities the right tools to fight these con artists, they give homeowners the ability to stand up for themselves and fight back, too.”