First American Title’s Post

What a great article and reminder of the importance of title insurance.

Fraud continues to be a problem for homeowners. First American is committed to educating real estate industry professionals and homeowners on this growing risk and the role that title insurance can play in protecting homeowners from scammers. Check out the AARP article below with quotes from First American's Vice-President and Real Estate Fraud Risk Expert, Sarah Frano.

"Guarding against title fraud is more crucial now than ever. It's not enough to just be careful; homeowners must adopt proactive measures to ensure their property titles are secure. Whether it's through advanced security measures, regular monitoring of property records, or understanding legal protections and insurance options, there are several steps homeowners can take to shield themselves from the dire consequences of title fraud." #fraud #mortgagefraud #titlefraud

Title fraud is a serious threat in today's real estate market, but you can stay protected! To avoid title fraud in Florida, work with reputable title companies, such as Action Title, and real estate attorneys who can thoroughly verify your property's title history. Regularly check public records for unauthorized changes and invest in title insurance for financial protection. Safeguard personal information to prevent identity theft and sign up for property fraud alerts to stay informed of any suspicious activity. These proactive steps can significantly reduce the risk of title fraud. Please visit our website for more resources! Action Title Services employs state-of-the-art methods to detect and prevent fraudulent activity. Learn about the steps you can take to secure your property's title and how we can help you avoid becoming a victim of title fraud by contacting one of our agents! Stay vigilant and protect your investment! 🚫🔍 Visit our website www.actiontitlestjohns.com Reach us at (904)-797-4777 or email us at [email protected] Located at 3760 US 1 South, Suite 110 Saint Augustine, FL #TitleFraud #PropertySecurity #RealEstateSafety #buyerprotection #homebuyer #youshouldknow #fraud

### Protecting Your Property: How to Avoid Title Fraud and Why Professional Help is Crucial Title fraud is a serious and growing concern for homeowners. This fraudulent activity involves the illegal transfer of property ownership through forged documents, leaving unsuspecting property owners at risk of losing their homes. With real estate transactions often involving substantial sums, it's essential to understand how to protect yourself from title fraud and why enlisting professional help is crucial. #### Understanding Title Fraud Title fraud occurs when someone illegally transfers ownership of a property using forged documents. This can happen in several ways: 1. **Identity Theft**: Fraudsters steal the identity of the homeowner and forge documents to transfer the title to themselves or an accomplice. 2. **Forgery**: Criminals forge the homeowner’s signature on documents, transferring ownership without the owner’s knowledge. 3. **False Deeds**: Fraudsters file false deeds that make it appear .

🚨 Stay Alert: Protect Your Real Estate Deals from Settlement Fraud! 🏠 Settlement fraud is a real threat in today's real estate market. Scammers aim to hijack your transactions and redirect your hard-earned money. But how can you protect yourself? Our latest blog explores effective strategies used by title companies to combat this fraud. 🛡️ Discover essential practices like enhanced verification processes, secure communications, and the benefits of title insurance. Whether you're buying a home or a realtor facilitating a sale, knowing these safeguards is crucial for a secure transaction. 🕵️♂️ Read our tips and stay one step ahead of fraudsters! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gGg3eC5A #RealEstateSafety #SettlementFraud #ProtectYourInvestment #TitleInsurance #HomeBuyingTips

More on #titlefraud! "You can protect yourself by signing up for your local county's #property #fraud alert program. It sends emails and texts if there's activity on #land you own. It doesn't prevent fraud, but it's like an early warning system. But not many people know about it; out of the roughly 230,000 people who live in Clay County, only 28,000 have signed up. All of Florida's 67 counties have some sort of property fraud alert program." #larrythetitlelawyer #titleinsurance

Title insurance is crucial in protecting homeowners from fraud, as highlighted by a recent attempt to fraudulently sell Graceland, Elvis Presley's famous home. Iron Title can help prevent such scams by ensuring thorough checks and secure transactions, giving homeowners peace of mind against identity theft and title fraud. Read the full article about what happened with Graceland: https://buff.ly/4c9dBgL #IronTitle #TitleInsurance #ProtectYourInvestment

Join us TOMORROW, August 14th, for a Continuing Education webinar with Diana Hoffman discussing how we can avoid fraud in real estate closings & title insurance transactions! Sadly, occurrences of fraud in real estate transactions have reached epic proportions! In 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received a record number of fraud complaints. 880,418 complaints were registered in 2023 with potential losses exceeding $12.5 billion dollars. This is a 10% increase in complaints received and a 22% increase in losses suffered compared to 2022.  Don’t become a statistic! Learn the most prevalent fraud scams and simple procedures you can implement to avoid becoming a victim. Diana will discuss red flags to alert you to possible fraud and steps to take if you suspect fraud or become a victim. Knowledge is power and we can defeat these fraudsters by educating ourselves and implementing measures to safeguard ourselves and our customers. This program is fully approved for 1 hour of Virginia, Maryland & DC CE (title agent) and 1 hour of Virginia & West Virginia CLE (attorney) credits! Link to register is in the comments of this post. #TitleInsurance #fraud #fraudprotection

Real Estate Fraud: Protect Yourself The excitement of buying or selling a home can be overwhelming, but it's crucial to stay vigilant against real estate fraud. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting both buyers and sellers. Common Scams: Impersonation: Fraudsters pose as real estate agents, property owners, or title company representatives to gain trust and steal personal information or funds. Wire Fraud: Scammers instruct buyers to wire funds to fraudulent accounts under the guise of closing costs or down payments. Property Fraud: Criminals forge property deeds or titles to sell properties they don't own. Rental Scams: Fraudsters advertise fake rental properties to collect deposits or rent payments. How to Protect Yourself: Verify Identities: Always verify the identity of anyone involved in the transaction. Request government-issued identification and confirm their affiliation with the company they claim to represent. Secure Communication: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, calls, or texts. Only communicate through verified email addresses and phone numbers. Wire Transfer Caution: Never wire funds without independently verifying the recipient's information. Confirm details with your real estate agent or closing attorney. Title Insurance: Consider purchasing title insurance to protect against property fraud. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, trust your gut and seek advice from a trusted professional. By being informed and taking precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to real estate fraud. Share this information with your network to help protect others. #realestate #fraudawareness #homeownership #buyersbeware #sellersbeware #protectyourself #financialsecurity