DENVER (AP) - Attorney General John Suthers on Thursday formed a task force to combat what he said was a growing wave of mortgage and foreclosure fraud.

The 23-member panel is charged with educating people who might be susceptible to such fraud, recommending ways to encourage cooperation among law enforcement and regulatory agencies, and developing proposed legislation to crack down on the problem, Suthers said.

"Too many Coloradans are losing their primary financial asset because of the growing industry of mortgage and foreclosure scams," Suthers said. "This task force will help those on the front lines deter these scams and assist the public with complaints."

Suthers said many victims of foreclosure and mortgage fraud are either first-time home buyers, elderly or Spanish-speaking.

"The best way to avoid becoming a victim is to be able to recognize and avoid these scams," he said.

The task force includes prosecutors, county clerks, public trustees, regulators, law enforcement representatives and a member of the Colorado Association of Mortgage Brokers and Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association. ---

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