Written Cybersecurity and Response Plans: Just Do It

Despite the rising threat, recent survey results show a surprisingly small number of agents are prepared, as most do not have a written cyber security and response plan. A cyberattack is a malicious and deliberate attempt by and individual or an organization to breach the information system of another individual or company, seeking benefit from the disruption, ransom, or theft …

Title Industry’s Cyber, Escrow Fraud Preparedness Needs Improvement

A national survey of title agents conducted by the American Land Title Association shows that our industry has farther to go when it comes to formalizing cyber and escrow security plans. Results of the survey also hint that the threat landscape is becoming increasingly perilous for title agents, consumers and others involved in real estate transactions. Of the survey’s more …

Cyber Insurance: Yes, You Absolutely Need It

No matter the size, mission, strength or success of your business, brand-building strategies are necessary components to building trust, establishing relationships and strengthening awareness. But like everything else, branding practices are constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay ahead of the curve and understand what your future branding strategies should entail. To help, here are three best-practice branding trends that need to …

5 Tips to Share with Consumers Early in the Real Estate Transaction

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post likening email escrow fraud to Whac-A-Mole. I’d like to revisit that image for a moment. A few years ago, scammers figured out what our industry does. Admittedly, it took them a while, but when they did, many agents started seeing a barrage of fraudulent emails. Title agents responded by tightening down on …

Escrow Fraud Schemes Follow a Common Pattern

We’ve all heard escrow fraud stories, and maybe you or someone you know has even had a wire diverted. The details can be pretty freaky. See what you think of this one: A young woman is selling a property and her father is the real estate agent on the deal. The father and daughter hand deliver wire instructions to the …

Escrow Fraud Remains Low Risk, High Reward

Several months ago, title agents across the country observed an uptick in attempted escrow fraud. In many cases, fraudsters posed as other participants in the transaction and attempted to trick agents into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts. The vast bulk of these escrow fraud attempts involved bogus emails. The stories and dollar losses were startling, and the industry responded. Alliant …