Ralph G. Diaz, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the San Antonio Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today the establishment of a telephone hotline to receive complaints from the public regarding mortgage fraud matters.

The FBI considers mortgage fraud to be a significant and growing crime problem which often affects unknowing consumers, and which has a direct impact upon the overall economic health of the United States. The collapse of the subprime mortgage market, as well as the recent economic downturn, has been met with a corresponding increase in fraud and schemes connected to mortgages and related transactions. The establishment of this hotline will aid the FBI and the community by providing a direct line of alert should mortgage fraud be suspected.

SA Erik Vasys Media Representative Tel: 210-978-5432 Erik.Vasys@IC.FBI.GOV

FBI San Antonio, 615 East Houston Street, Suite 200, San Antonio, Texas 78205