Does your State Appraiser Board accept anonymous complaints?

[Caligirl]

The Whistleblowers laws cover employees.

Other professions are 'designated' whisteblowers if you will, and are protected by anonimity. For example credential teachers are 'mandated reporters' of child abuse. Why is this not the case with appraisers and fraud?

 

[Stone]

Other professions are 'designated' whisteblowers if you will, and are protected by anonimity. For example credential teachers are 'mandated reporters' of child abuse. Why is this not the case with appraisers and fraud?

Again, appraisers are turning in their competition. Whether that means they should or shouldn't be anonymous is one discussion. But, it does make it different from many types of reporting.

The continued analogies by several to child abuse (or similar crimes) are really a stretch.

 

[Bob Ipock]

Some people (INCLUDING MYSELF) believe that the Ethics Rule in USPAP does just that.

An appraiser must not communicate assignment results in a misleading or fraudulent manner. An appraiser must not use or communicate a misleading or fraudulent report or knowingly permit an employee or other person to communicate a misleading or fraudulent report.

 

[Stone]

Some people (INCLUDING MYSELF) believe that the Ethics Rule in USPAP does just that.

Why the need to be anonymous?

 

[Tudor]

I don't see the need to be anonymous.

We are turning in the appraisal, not the appraiser. If this lessons the numbers of appraisers, therefore lessening the amount of competition, then so be it. But if you don't follow the rules, whose fault is that? Deffinately not mine. And I would consider the appraisers that are performing the bad appraisals were trying to lessen the competition by providing a service that ethical appraisals cannot provide.

It is then the Boards job to reprimand as they see fit.

If the punishment is unjust then it is the Boards fault, not the appraiser that turned in the bad report. Appraisers should not be held liable for appraisals that they turn in.

If the Boards to not have enough money to investigate properly, then let the appraisers know, I would gladly pay a higher renewal fee if it meant a more level playing field in the appraisal profession.

 

[Caligirl]

Again, appraisers are turning in their competition. Whether that means they should or shouldn't be anonymous is one discussion. But, it does make it different from many types of reporting.

The continued analogies by several to child abuse (or similar crimes) are really a stretch.

Stone, I am not advocating any kind of anonymous complaint for anything other than fraud.

I am not trying to compare financial fraud to child abuse, but rather stating that *if* curtailing mortgage fraud were a priority there would or could be a system in place whereby appraisers could send anonymous complaints (with appropriate documentation) to their state boards for further investigation.