Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of April 06, 2022 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
(1) It is unlawful for any person in connection with the mortgage lending process to directly or indirectly:
(a)(i) Employ any scheme, device, or artifice to defraud or materially mislead any borrower during the lending process; (ii) defraud or materially mislead any lender, defraud or materially mislead any person, or engage in any unfair or deceptive practice toward any person related to the mortgage lending process; or (iii) obtain property by fraud or material misrepresentation during the mortgage lending process;
(b) Knowingly make any misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission related to the mortgage lending process knowing that it may be relied on by a mortgage lender, borrower, or any other party related to the mortgage lending process;
(c) Use or facilitate the use of any misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission, knowing the same to contain a misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission, related to the mortgage lending process with the intention that it be relied on by a mortgage lender, borrower, or any other party related to the mortgage lending process;
(d) Receive any proceeds or anything of value in connection with a residential mortgage closing that such person knew resulted from a violation of subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section [(a), (b), or (c) of this subsection];
(e) File or cause to be filed with the county recorder or the official registrar of deeds of any county of this state any document such person knows to contain a material misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission;
(f) Violate RCW 31.04.297(3); or
(g) Knowingly alter, destroy, shred, mutilate, or conceal a record, document, or other object, or attempt to do so, with the intent to impair the investigation and prosecution of this crime.
(2) Each crime prosecuted under this section shall be punished separately under chapter 9.94A RCW, unless it is the same criminal conduct as any other crime under RCW 9.94A.589.
(3) Every person who, in the commission of mortgage fraud as described in this section, commits any other crime may be punished for that other crime in addition to mortgage fraud, and may be prosecuted for each crime separately.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Washington Revised Code Title 19. Business Regulations--Miscellaneous § 19.144.080. Unlawful actions--Fraud, misrepresentation, deceptive practices - last updated April 06, 2022 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wa/title-19-business-regulationsmiscellaneous/wa-rev-code-19-144-080/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)