TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued the following statement on the House's unanimous passage of HB 643, the Foreclosure Fraud Prevention Act:

“I applaud the commitment shown today by the members of the House of Representatives to protect Floridians facing foreclosures from being victimized by foreclosure fraud. Unfortunately, there are many fraudulent schemes designed to prey upon homeowners in potentially desperate situations, but this bill will be the first line of defense for those consumers who are fighting to save their homes.

“Representative Clay Ford and House leadership have my sincere appreciation for making this bill a priority. Protecting our homeowners is a truly bipartisan issue, and I am pleased to see the unanimous passage of this important consumer protection measure.”

The Senate companion bill, SB 992 by Sen. Fasano, has two more committee stops before it heads to the Senate floor for final passage.