Since mortgage fraud is becoming more & more of a problem lately, it helps to know someone in the business. Getting a referral from a family member or friend is one of the best ways to protect yourself from mortgage fraud.It's also a good idea to check the BBB to see if there are any complaints agains the mortgage company your are using.
If you don't know someone in the business, maybe you know a lawyer or know one you can trust to review and protect yourself...
As soon as you give someone enough to pull a credit file or turn over any documents relating to your income, you become a potential victim of identity theft, it is very hard to protect yourself against it before it happens...However, keeping a good record of who you give it to can help you reclaim it quicker should you become a victim...