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As homeowners struggling with their finances look to consolidate debt any way possible, including through mortgage refinancing, they should be aware that mortgage fraud cases rose yet again in 2009.

According to the latest report released Monday by LexisNexis’ Mortgage Asset Research Institute, incidents of mortgage fraud and misrepresentations by industry professionals increased by 7 percent from 2008 to 2009 in the U.S.

The increase was less than the 26 percent increase in mortgage fraud seen the year prior, with experts adding that the year-by-year percentage difference may not be as wide as the data indicates.

"While this is a noticeable increase, we believe that mortgage fraud is significantly understated, even during times of massive origination volumes," said Jennifer Butts, LexisNexis Mortgage Asset Research Institute manager of data processing.

"Lenders are facing hurdles with compliance, loss mitigation and staving off additional financial losses due to poor loan performance," added Denise James, LexisNexis Risk Solutions director of real estate solutions.

After holding the unfortunate title of the state with the highest rate of mortgage fraud for two of the last three years, Florida again overtook Rhode Island in 2009 as its residents suffered through three times the expected amount of fraud cases.

Americans across the country who are becoming increasingly desperate for any type of income as they look to consolidate debt may be faced with a decision to either make more money in a more grueling job, or settle for less cash in position that is less stressful.

According to a recent survey conducted by CareerCast.com, some of the most stressful jobs in 2010 were found to be firefighter, corporate executive, surgeon, police officer, and commercial pilot.

However, while incredibly stressful, the survey also pointed out that many of the listed positions were also found to be the most sought-after positions on the market because of their high wages or job security.

"While fear of losing your job may keep you awake at night, the nation’s most stressful job – firefighter – has one of the lowest unemployment rates," explains Tony Lee, publisher for CareerCast.com. "On the other hand, many low-stress jobs offer little room for advancement, and often don’t appeal to ambitious, educated job seekers."

Among the least stressful jobs documented during the year – which are easier on a daily basis but may not bring in as much of a salary – were musical instrument repairer, medical records technician, actuary, and librarian.

Americans are continuing to utilize debt consolidation and find ways to get by other than relying on government jobless insurance services, as figures regarding the number of initial claims declined yet again in mid-April.

According to the latest Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims report released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday, Initial unemployment claims for the week ending April 17 were reported to be 456,000, 24,000 fewer than the previous week’s revised figure.

Looking at newly released data from the week ending April 10, the insured unemployment rate declined slightly as it fell 0.1 percentage points to 3.6 percent.

Similarly, the number of those using unemployment insurance during the week also decreased by 40,000 as it hit 4.646 million. The 4-week moving average of total claims also hit 4,643,750, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous total.

Despite the national decreases, only two states – Kentucky and Indiana – reported decreases in initial claims of more than 1,000 during the week. On the other hand, 16 states reported increases in claims of more than 1,000, with New York leading the way with an increase of 23,876 due to transportation and service industry layoffs.

Despite marginal progress in the housing market so far this year, homeowners are still struggling to stay above water on their mortgage payments as they consolidate debt and begin the foreclosure process in increasing numbersthis quarter.

According to Bank Foreclosures Sale, new data released Monday showed that foreclosures across the country increased by 7 percent in first quarter of 2010 compared to the previous quarter. While the number of default notices fell by 1 percent during the quarter, bank repossessions shot up by 36 percent during the same time period.

"A repossession is usually the final stage of a foreclosure," remarked Simon Campbell, a business analyst with Bank Foreclosures Sale. "The properties are repossessed, and then sold off from there. So, now the banks and lenders have a huge supply of REO homes to deal with."

However, while the figure was somewhat dire for those in the housing market, Campbell added that the rise in foreclosures would be "great news for buyers" who would receive discounted prices because of the high inventory

"I wouldn’t be surprised if we see average sale prices really drop in the coming months," he added.

Consumers looking to buy a new car while consolidating debt and in need of financial help may be disappointed by a new bill being considered that could deal a blow to auto financing.

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, a financial regulation bill that is scheduled to be considered by the U.S. Senate would create a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection that would have control over dealer-assisted financing and commissions.

The effects of the bureau would lead to a new set of regulations on auto dealers that could complicate the financial help they can offer for consumers who need assistance in order to purchase a new car.

"Adding another layer of regulation will reduce availability of credit and increase costs to consumers," said Ed Tonkin, chairman of NADA. "Wall Street caused the financial meltdown, not local auto dealers on Main Street."

Sam Brownback, a Republican Senator from Kansas, is attempting to adjust the bureau by sponsoring an amendment that would exempt the auto industry from its authority. The so-called Brownback Amendment is scheduled to be considered by the Senate as well.

Following a week in which Bankrate.com’s data found all mortgage rates seeing significant increases, rates managed to return more manageable rates for homeowners who want to refinance their home in order to consolidate debt.

According to the latest weekly national survey released Thursday, the average interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by 0.14 percentage points to hit 5.21 percent for the week ending April 14. The decline more than made up for the 0.12 percentage point spike seen in the rate one week earlier.

Similarly, the average rate for 15-year FRMs declined as well, shedding 0.13 percentage points to hit 4.56 percent for the week. One week earlier, the FRM had increased by 0.16 percentage points en route to 4.69 percent.

The average interest rate for 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages fell for the week as well, dropping 0.07 percentage points as it hit 4.48 percent. The week prior, the average rate had shifted up by 0.04 percentage points to hit 4.55. percent.

In total, the average mortgage rate for all types during the week fell to 5.35 percent, meaning a monthly payment following a refinancing would fall to $1,116.83 from the $1,241.86 payment that would have been given to homeowners who took out a mortgage when the average rate stood at 6.33 percent in November 2008.

Following two consecutive months of declines, consumers are beginning to shed their worries about consolidating debt, and a new Deloitte survey shows that spending increased throughout March.

The latest Deloitte Consumer Spending Index for March, which was released on Tuesday, increased by 0.26 percentage points to hit 4.47 percent, from a downwardly revised figure of one month earlier.

The increase was attributed primarily [to] continued declines in initial unemployment claims and real home prices, while real wages were only down slightly from one year earlier.

"The improvement in the index was primarily driven by the job market, as initial unemployment claims continue to trend downward from their peak one year ago. Tax rates, which were cut last year as a part of the government’s stimulus package, also moved downward," said Carl Steidtmann, chief economist with Deloitte Research. "At the same time, declining real home prices remain a drag on the Index, although the double-digit price declines of a year ago have eased to the low single digits."

Stacy Janiak, a vice chairman and Deloitte’s U.S. retail leader, added that while there was still room for the index to increase, consumers had "shed some of their restraint in recent months."

Homeowners who are in need of debt consolidation are continuing to save money by refinancing their mortgage in March through the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program, according to new data from Bank of America.

The latest information from the national bank, which was released on Monday, shows that Bank of America completed the mortgage modifications for 12,200 more homeowners than in the previous month’s report.

In total, the bank has adjusted 32,900 mortgage modifications through the nation’s HAMP program as of April 8, and 560,000 modifications since January 2008 through various adjustment programs.

"We anticipated the momentum of completion of HAMP modifications would build as we entered spring, and we’re seeing that," said Jack Schakett, a loss mitigation strategies executive for Bank of America. "As more homeowners have completed their required trial payment period and provided the information necessary for underwriting, an increasing number of Bank of America customers are receiving long-term assistance through the government initiative and the efforts of our associates."

Across the country, more than 190,000 mortgages have been refinanced through the HAMP by ll types of banks since its inception.

Led by bond yields and improved employment figures for March, average interest rates for all mortgage types increased during the first full week of March, providing little relief for homeowners looking to consolidate debt through mortgage refinancing.

According to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending April 8, which was released by Freddie Mac on Thursday, the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased by 0.13 percentage points to hit 5.21 percent. One week earlier, the rate had edged above 5 percent following a 0.09 percentage point increase to 5.08 percent.

Similarly, the average rate for 15-year FRMs edged up by 0.13 percentage points as well as it increased to 4.52 percent. One week earlier, the FRM had seen a smaller increase of 0.05 percentage points.

Following a 0.04 percentage point decrease to end April the average rate for 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages negated it with a 0.15 percentage point increase en route to 4.25 percent this week. Similarly, the average rate for 1-year ARMs jumped up by 0.09 percentage points to hit 4.14 percent this week, nearly negating a 0.15 percentage point decline one week earlier.