You may need to engage an auditor to review your files on occasion if your organization issues house mortgages. Mortgage file audits are used for internal quality control or external validation by publicly traded corporations that are required to report to a regulatory agency. An audit of your mortgage application, review, and funding procedures ensure that all applicable regulations are followed, all data is correct, and the credit risk is acceptable. Annual audits are common, but some lending businesses or regulatory authorities may prefer quarterly audits.

• Criteria for Approval

  The auditor will begin by examining your new mortgage approval criteria to check that none of your procedures are discriminatory and that the risk level is suitable. He’ll usually produce a list of the minimal credit, income, appraisal value, debt-to-income ratio, and other critical indicators your organization employs to evaluate candidates. This will be a reference for later in the audit when assessing individual loan applications.

• Reports on Credit

  A review of the credit records used to approve mortgages must also be included in the audit. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports should all be available. Check that the correct names and Social Security numbers are listed and that no additional aliases or suffixes are interfering with the credit record of another person. The debt-to-income ratio computations should have included all sources of credit. In addition, the auditor will check the borrower’s credit score to your company’s minimum approval requirements.

• Verification of Income

  The income of typical workers who receive W-2 forms at the end of the year is the easiest to verify. Lenders and auditors are made more difficult by independent contractors and self-employed persons. To establish these debtors’ total income, the auditor will need to look at bank statements, tax returns, dividends and interest, and retirement plan disbursements. He’ll check your documentation’s income to the income used in the approval process.

• Property

  An examination of the appraisal, mortgage insurance, and title search on the property used as collateral for the loan should also be part of the mortgage audit. Unless the additional property is pledged as collateral, the appraised value must be adequate to satisfy the full loan total. Copies of comparable sales and a description of the appraisal technique used by the appraiser to compile his report should be included in the mortgage file and confirmation of the size of the property and any buildings on the property. The auditor will also request a copy of the title report and mortgage insurance policy for the property in question. There should be no pending claims, liens, or other problems on the title report.

• Documentation

  All pertinent papers, such as the sales contract, trust deed, escrow instructions, loan documents, and closing statement, must be preserved in the mortgage file. The closing statement should include a summary of the closing costs and the seller’s share of these fees. Look for unexpected items in the contract, such as collateralized personal property. Verify that the contract still adheres to the approval standards.

• Report on the Audit

  When the auditor is finished, he will write a report that details the investigation findings. The study will point up areas where the company’s approval and lending procedures are lacking. For any errors discovered during the audit, the auditor will recommend possible corrections. A follow-up audit may be conducted to ensure that all proposed remedies have been implemented.

There are four techniques to recognize personal loan scammers.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers would lose roughly $3.3 billion in 2020 due to fraudulent practices. Potential con artists target individuals who are most in need or most inclined to accept a phony offer. You can fall victim to a personal loan scam if you’re not vigilant, and you could lose money.

You can learn how to verify the legitimacy of a lending firm and prevent being a victim of fraud. Here are some standard warning signals of a possible loan scam.

1. The lender assures you of approval.

   Reputable lenders need to check your credit report, including all three main credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian). To ensure that you’ll be diligent about repaying a loan, most lenders want to know if you have a history of paying payments on time and in full.
   Fraudulent companies are unconcerned about your creditworthiness. They look for high-risk customers who are likely to default on their loans and face exorbitant late fees and penalties. Avoid any lender that promises approval or makes claims like these:

   • “Everyone has been given permission!”
   • “We are unconcerned with your past. You are deserving of a loan!”
   • “Is it better to have bad credit or no credit?” “It’s no problem.”
2. The lender requires a prepaid card or other forms of payment in advance.

   Some con artists have demanded borrowers’ prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or banking information. The con artists pretend that the data is required for insurance, collateral, or fees. This is a rip-off. Legitimate financial organizations may charge fees for your application, appraisal, or credit report, but those fees are subtracted from your loan.

3. The lender contacts you by phone, letter, or knock.

   Be cautious if you receive a loan offer over the phone, in the mail, or through a door-to-door solicitation. According to the Federal Trade Commission, offering a loan over the phone and demanding payment before delivery is prohibited in the United States. The Telemarketing Sales Rule is being broken.

4. There is no physical address for the lender.

   Every lender you’re considering should be able to supply you with a physical address. Just in case, run it through Google Maps. Some companies that execute personal loan scams will provide vacant lots’ addresses, so double-check.

   Avoid the lender if you can’t uncover any evidence of a physical address. Many fraudulent firms operate in an untraceable manner to escape legal repercussions.

Last but not least

If you require a personal loan, do your homework and compare different lenders to ensure that you are receiving a competitive rate from a reputable provider. Even if your credit isn’t perfect, many personal loan providers will lend to anyone in need, regardless of credit. Don’t be fooled into falling victim to a con. Instead, look for a provider that will meet you where you are.