Today鈥檚 businesses face a unique challenge. They must find ways to showcase their trustworthiness to audiences that are increasingly distracted. That challenge becomes even more important in title insurance.

Businesses are continually signaling to audiences in various ways whether or not they are trustworthy. At the audience level, those trust signals can include everything from a modern website and responsive communication to customer reviews, branding and clear messaging. But once an audience member becomes a customer, another level of trust is required. Customers need to understand both your commitment to protecting the integrity of their transaction and the critical steps they need to take to help keep it secure. Let鈥檚 see what it takes to do both.

Step 1: Segment strategically

Creating trust signals that feel meaningful but still respectful of your audience鈥檚 time starts by understanding them. Your audience is not a monolith. It is an array of constituencies, each with their own motivations, fears and needs. Considering 鈥渂uyer personas鈥� is a great way to begin building trust. You will then better understand what each audience member is looking for from a title agency and know how to position your services in a way that grabs a buyer鈥檚 attention.

When building out these personas, resist overthinking it. Simply ask what each audience segment is worried about, what they need to do next and how much they already understand. That way, you can cut right to the chase and highlight why you are best positioned to meet their needs and address their fears. For example, is your buyer purchasing their first home or are they a seasoned homeowner facing the digital closing process for the first time?

Step 2: Put fraud prevention front and center

As you build your customer personas, you will also need to convey to each of them the inherent risks in today鈥檚 fraud landscape. At 星空传媒 星空传媒, we encourage agents to adopt a simple principle: VERIFY, THEN TRUST: Every file, every party, every time. The challenge is bringing consumers into that mindset in a clear and practical way. Real estate transactions, where hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars are exchanged, remain attractive targets for scammers, and customers may not fully understand the threat level, especially when they are caught up in the many moving pieces of a transaction. This represents an obvious opportunity to build greater trust. By making your agency鈥檚 fraud-prevention practices as visible as possible, you can help your customers feel more secure in your ability to protect the integrity of their transactions, while also helping them understand the role they play in keeping those transactions safe and maintaining the necessary protections of their personal information and assets.

Some best practices for getting customers the information they require without overburdening them include:

• Make fraud warnings obvious: Place short, clear reminders in all emails, website pages and other customer-facing materials and always encourage the exchange of critical information through your secure agency closing portal.聽
• Avoid jargon: Customers need a quick and crystal-clear understanding of your ID verification practices, secure portals and other anti-fraud procedures鈥攚ritten in plain English.聽
• Give customers a safe point of contact: Provide a designated point of contact upfront, along with instructions on which number to use and which situations merit a pause, particularly before sending funds. Customers should be reminded that if something changes or feels unusual, they should not rely on a recent email or another communication stream. They should return to the original contact information you provided and verify before taking the next step. For example, your customers should always be reminded that you will NEVER change your wire instructions at the last minute. Direct them to the trusted point of contact should they receive such a direction.
• Create standard fraud-prevention language: Ensure your customers receive the same guidance at every touchpoint. Team training is important here. Your team should continually reinforce the same messages and procedures, so the guidance does not get muddled and consumers do not become disengaged. The threat level is high and customers need to appreciate that from the minute their transaction is initiated.

With these steps, even the most distracted and scattered audience will more easily understand your commitment to keeping their transactions secure. That builds trust in your organization while also helping customers understand the steps they can take鈥攁nd need to take鈥攖o help protect their transaction. Your customers have a critical role to play, but trusting that you will guide them appropriately and safely will be a valuable tool in their protection.

Step 3: Visuals are very important

Ensuring your agency exudes credibility and trustworthiness begins with your website. Adhering to modern web design practices, using consistent fonts and colors and ensuring mobile responsiveness are all non-negotiable. Reviewing client-facing forms for accuracy, correct branding and messaging, particularly around fraud, and a smooth user experience is also important, as is auditing the communications and physical documentation that come from your agency.

Be the resource that your customers require. Secure links to checklists for closings, fraud prevention tips, and frequently asked questions and answers make certain to your customer that you are their reliable resource throughout the closing process. You are the resource they can trust at every stage.

Step 4: Review your reviews

Remember: The communication channels you 鈥渙wn鈥� are just the tip of the iceberg for establishing trust. Today鈥檚 audiences are channel switchers. When choosing a company in which to place their trust, they will vet not only your site and social media channels, but also third-party sites, reviews and customer feedback.

You need to be similarly active in these spaces. Whether it be your Google Business Profile or various review sites, you must be ready to respond to questions, offer advice or address complaints. If you do this well, time-crunched prospects will see you as a convenient and communicative business partner. If you don鈥檛, you risk disengagement. Make a customer satisfaction survey part of the post-closing outreach to your customers. Allow them to sing your praises or learn from your mistakes to enhance the next transaction experience. 

Step 5: Highlight the human

Last but certainly not least, few things help build trust and relationship as much as highlighting the human element of your business. As we all know, relationships are everything in the title and settlement industry.  Sometimes in real estate transactions, the human factor can feel lost under procedures and paperwork, which is a big problem when trying to elevate your agency鈥檚 credibility. Overcoming this means connecting customers to the specific people they will engage with as their closing moves to completion. Clarifying roles and reinforcing the verification steps customers should follow before acting on transaction instructions is also critical to a positive and trust-based customer experience.

VERIFY, THEN TRUST is at the heart of our business

It can be a real struggle to help customers feel comfortable and confident enough to entrust you with their transactions鈥nd their MONEY! One reason is that it鈥檚 becoming an enormous lift to even connect with customers in our fragmented and fluid digital age. That鈥檚 where these trust-building steps can make a difference. By showing customers that you are committed to protecting their transactions鈥攁nd by helping them understand their own role in the process鈥攜ou can build trust, which will benefit your customers and your agency鈥檚 future success through referrals from satisfied customers.

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Recent developments surrounding FinCEN鈥檚 Real Estate Reporting Rule (Rule) are creating uncertainty for title and settlement agents. Two federal courts have issued directly conflicting decisions on the validity of the Rule, resulting in an unusual and rapidly evolving regulatory environment. FinCEN has also spoken on the matter. The following provides an overview of what this means for title and settlement agents.

What Just Happened?

To understand the implications of this situation, it is helpful to revisit the Rule itself. FinCEN originally created the Rule to require reporting of certain information regarding parties and bank accounts involved in non-financed purchases of residential real property by entities or trusts. A Florida court said the Rule is valid and placed no limits on the Department鈥檚 ability to act. However, a Texas court said that FinCEN lacked the authority to create such a Rule and threw it out.

Recognizing the confusion that two conflicting decisions and their outcomes signify, FinCEN promptly posted an alert to its :

In light of a federal court decision, reporting persons are not currently required to file real estate reports with FinCEN and are not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force.

The Disagreement

In the Florida federal district court鈥檚 view, the government needs flexibility to fight money laundering. If certain types of transactions are risky, the court reasoned, it is permissible to require reporting broadly. The Texas court took a narrower view, holding that the Rule improperly applied suspicion to all transactions rather than targeting specific high-risk activity. These differing interpretations reflect fundamentally different views of the scope of federal regulatory authority.

From an operational standpoint, it鈥檚 important to note that the Texas court did not just block the Rule鈥攊t wholly invalidated it (for now). Title and settlement agents are not required to report under the Rule at present. This situation may change, however, so continued monitoring is crucial.

FinCEN is expected to appeal the Texas decision to a federal appellate court, while the Florida case may also proceed through the appellate process. As part of this process, FinCEN may seek a stay of the Texas ruling. If a stay is granted, the Rule could be reinstated with little or no advance notice, immediately reimposing data collection and reporting obligations on industry participants. Should the appellate courts disagree, this dispute over the Rule could be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Exploring Options

In the interim, title and settlement agents must determine how to approach compliance in a period where the Rule is not currently enforceable but may return with limited notice.

Some organizations have elected to continue collecting the information required under the Rule in order to maintain operational continuity and avoid the risk of scrambling to comply if the Rule is reinstated. This approach can reduce the likelihood of retroactive challenges and preserve established workflows, but it also introduces additional administrative burden and may create friction with customers who question the necessity of providing sensitive information.

Other organizations have chosen to suspend data collection activities until there is greater legal clarity. This approach aligns with the current regulatory posture, eliminates unnecessary work, and avoids the collection of sensitive data in the absence of a clear federal mandate. However, it carries the risk of requiring rapid operational adjustments if the Rule is reinstated with limited notice.

A third approach has emerged as a practical middle ground. Under this model, organizations maintain readiness by preserving internal processes, continuing staff training, and retaining necessary forms and workflows, while refraining from actively collecting data unless and until the Rule is reinstated. This approach balances preparedness with operational efficiency during a period of uncertainty.

As if this wasn鈥檛 confusing enough, I should note that additional outcomes are also possible. For instance, it is possible that FinCEN may revise the Rule in response to the Texas court鈥檚 concerns if the agency does not prevail on appeal. Future implementation timelines may also change, potentially including new deadlines, phased rollouts, or substantive modifications. However, at present, there is no reporting obligation for past transactions, and retroactive reporting requirements are considered unlikely.

What to Do in the Meantime

In communications with customers, real estate professionals, and attorneys, a clear and consistent message is advisable: the Rule is not currently in effect due to a federal court decision, and organizations are actively monitoring developments and will adjust their processes if reporting requirements are reinstated.

While the current situation reflects a degree of legal uncertainty, it also provides a window of opportunity. Title and settlement agents are not required to comply with the Rule at this time and can use this period to evaluate processes, prepare for potential changes, and ensure that they are positioned to respond effectively as the regulatory landscape evolves. Importantly, it is comforting to remember that the industry, as a whole, is all in the same boat.

Final Thought

While the current landscape is indeed uncertain, these developments reflect the legal system functioning as intended, with courts examining the limits of regulatory authority and evaluating the policy considerations underlying the Rule. As this process continues through the appellate system, it will ultimately provide greater clarity on the scope and enforceability of federal reporting requirements in real estate transactions. In the meantime, agents should remain informed by monitoring FinCEN鈥檚 Residential Real Estate Rule webpage for updates: . Your 星空传媒 星空传媒 underwriting is also available to address questions or concerns as the situation develops.

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By Amanda Berry, Senior Claims Counsel, 星空传媒

Access issues in title insurance can be a particularly acute source of pain. In fact, some of the most challenging claims arise when someone assumes access because of a road or driveway. But remember: a visible route into a property is NOT always a valid route. Understanding this difference is key to preventing claims, delays, negotiations and especially litigation.

What access means in title

Preventing access-related claims hinges first on understanding what title insurance covers. Title insurance typically guards against the risk that the insured property lacks a legal right of access. In other words, just because there is a road does not necessarily mean there is legal access to the property. To properly protect customers, agents must avoid confusing the two.

Common access problems

Drawing this distinction within a title policy matters greatly because there are different types of transactions that can raise access problems. Here are some common culprits:  

• Improper subdivision: When a large parcel of land is divided, sometimes the inner or rear parcels become landlocked and are sold without an access road or easement providing legal access.

• Unrecorded or invalid easements: Was the easement properly created or has it expired? The underlying easements, even older easements, need to be reviewed to confirm they are valid and do, in fact, provide easement to the property.
• Road abutting property is private: In some cases, the road adjacent to the property is privately owned. The seller may have been using the private road to access their property either on a handshake deal or even unknowingly, but there is no recorded easement allowing them to use the road. Unfortunately, this is not legal access and can create real access problems, especially if the goodwill of the neighbor is no longer extended.
• Common ownership: When an owner holds multiple parcels of land that only include one access point, that access can disappear if one parcel is sold.

Without careful examination confirming access to the property, buyers can find themselves in a difficult situation. Access issues can trigger claims, liability and disputes. These claims are often expensive and time-consuming to address, and the parties may find themselves having to go to court to restore access. These are all things we want to avoid whenever possible.

 Your handy checklist for preventing access claims

Luckily, most access claims can be avoided with a little legwork and extra due diligence. Adhering closely to the following best practices won鈥檛 eliminate the prospect of an access claim, but they can certainly go a long way in reducing the risk.

Always:

• Confirm whether the transaction parcel is adjacent to a public road or is dependent on an indirect access point. If unsure whether a road is public, call the county or city to confirm.
• Check legal descriptions and Schedule鈥疊 exceptions carefully. Remember, while some exceptions may be routine, 鈥渙thers can genuinely limit what you鈥檙e able to do with the property鈥�[i] and could impact access.
• Always confirm that access easements are valid and tied to the property.
• Refrain from taking things at face value, as not all types of roads may automatically equal recorded legal access. 鈥淒riveways and, in some cases, private roads do not necessarily constitute legal access. Such access rights must be evidenced by a written, recorded easement.鈥�[ii]
• Utilize ALTA surveys to properly assess property boundaries, easements and right of ways.
• Loop in your underwriter whenever you are in doubt. Whenever access appears indirect, unclear or limited, it is always best practice to get another pair of eyes on it.
• Keep an eye on red flags, such as:
  • Private road with no easement in the file
  • Access that is crossing neighboring land, railroads, water or other public areas
  • A parcel that has been separated from a larger property
  • Easement language that seems vague or incomplete
  • Disparities between what the survey shows and what the commitment states

By using these as your guide, counsel then can correct the issue ahead of time and prevent unnecessary claims on the backend.

Slow and steady wins this race

Access issues may seem small, but they have the power to disrupt what should be seamless transactions. Agents can often prevent this from happening by verifying access in every file, every time, especially if there seems to be something off or amiss. Take the time to ask your questions up front and dig deeper into the access route to make sure your bases are covered. That鈥檚 the best way to catch these problems before a policy is issued and avoid major headaches in the process.

[i]

[ii]

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By Adam Mohrbacher

Longmont, CO 鈥� (March 18, 2026) 鈥� 星空传媒, the title insurer that is uniquely responsive to the needs of independent agents, is pleased to announce that Kathy Long has joined its team as 星空传媒 Commercial Title Examiner.

Long鈥檚 career in title insurance can be traced back to 1987, when she began working for a Florida-based title company as a customer service clerk. From there, she held various roles at a leading national title insurance and settlement services company, including policy typist, residential and commercial examiner for direct and agent offices. In the years that followed, she became a production supervisor and was responsible for establishing all processes, procedures and staff necessary to support the company鈥檚 Tampa Bay-area agents.

In 2012, Long pursued a new opportunity at another leading title company. While there, she focused on complex commercial transactions and became proficient in building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with large law firms. She received stellar mentorship in this position, and after six years, earned the title of Commercial Underwriter 鈥� Transaction Specialist.

Now at 星空传媒 星空传媒, Long will apply her expertise, honed over the decades, to help the underwriter鈥檚 agents manage challenging, complicated commercial transactions and close with confidence. She also looks forward to mentoring and teaching others about the intricacies of commercial title examination.

鈥淐ommercial transactions include their own unique challenges, and 星空传媒 星空传媒鈥檚 stellar agents must ensure that no undisclosed liens, easements or other defects could mar the title and negatively impact their customers鈥� investments,鈥� said Brian Osburn, VP, 星空传媒 星空传媒 Commercial Services. 鈥淜athy鈥檚 hiring reflects our iron-clad commitment to helping our agents achieve that goal, navigate dense commercial transactions with ease, and see positive business growth as a result.鈥�

Long expressed similar sentiments about her hiring, noting 星空传媒 星空传媒鈥檚 history of excellence and relentless dedication to agent success. 鈥淚鈥檓 most looking forward to joining 星空传媒 星空传媒鈥檚 commercial services team because they are, quite simply, the best of the best,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he title issues we run into in this space can be quite involved. As Steve Jobs once said, 鈥楪reat things in business are never done by one person. They鈥檙e done by a team of people.鈥� Well, Sam Sobering and Brian Osburn are assembling an elite team here at 星空传媒 星空传媒. And we are all working together towards a common goal of creating seamless commercial transactions for our agents. I love the work that I do, and getting to do it alongside a team like this is a dream come true.鈥�

Long lives in the Tampa Bay area with her family.

Media Inquiries

Adam Mohrbacher
Clockwork Public Relations
e: amohrbacher@clockworkpr.net 
p: 651.587.4792

About 星空传媒

星空传媒 星空传媒 is on a mission to empower independent agents while protecting property owners with secure title insurance. The company partners with its agents and never competes against them with direct or affiliate operations. 星空传媒 星空传媒 serves thousands of title professionals as a licensed underwriter in 32 states and the District of Columbia.

Visit alliantnational.com for additional information and follow 星空传媒 星空传媒 on  and  for the latest company updates.

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By: Elyce Schweitzer, 星空传媒 星空传媒 Regulatory Compliance Officer

Artificial intelligence has made fraud more convincing and more difficult to spot. As we explored in our earlier piece on deepfake-enabled fraud, today鈥檚 bad actors can impersonate real parties, voices, and documents with a level of sophistication that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

In response, lawmakers and regulators are strengthening the legal tools available to prosecutors, civil enforcers, and courts. These developments don鈥檛 rewrite core fraud principles, but they do change how those principles apply to real estate closings 鈥� and they reinforce the value of careful verification.

Understanding this evolving landscape helps explain why it鈥檚 so important to Verify, Then trust 鈥� every file, every party, every time.  

Fraud and Impersonation: Statutory Tools That Matter

States are updating their criminal and civil fraud statutes to make it clearer that impersonation using modern technology is not a technical loophole but a prosecutable offense.

For example, in Texas, (effective September 1, 2025) amended Chapter 32 of the Texas Penal Code by adding Sections 32.56 and 32.57. Section 32.56 makes it an offense, with intent to enter or remain on real property, to knowingly present to another person a false, fraudulent, or fictitious document purporting to be a lease agreement, deed, or other instrument conveying real property or an interest in real property. Section 32.57 makes it a first-degree felony to knowingly list, advertise, sell, rent, or lease residential real property without legal title or authority.

In practice, these sections clarify that impersonation involving falsified property documents constitutes fraud, even when the deception relies on digital or AI-assisted tools. Notably for title agents, when such cases are investigated or litigated, the analysis may extend beyond the fraudulent act itself to examine how the transaction progressed, including what steps were taken to confirm identity and authority before reliance occurred.

The Role of Notarization and Remote Online Notarization

Notarization has become a critical built-in safety mechanism for property transactions. States that authorize Remote Online Notarization (RON) typically require defined identity-verification procedures, which may include multi-factor authentication, recorded sessions, and retained audit logs.

These requirements do more than check a box. They create layers of verification that are observable after the fact. When fraud does occur, prosecutors, judges, and civil litigants may scrutinize whether these verification layers were followed.

In other words, notarization statutes don鈥檛 replace professional diligence 鈥� but they codify expectations for how identity and intent should be confirmed and documented.

Expanding Definitions of Deceptive Communication

Other states have updated their fraud laws to explicitly cover realistic representations made with advanced technologies. , effective April 2, 2025, defines 鈥渄eceptive audio or visual media鈥� as the use of highly realistic representations of speech, conduct, or writing where the subject did not actually engage in that conduct. The statute criminalizes generating, soliciting, disclosing, or using deceptive audio or visual media for the purpose of attempting or furthering the commission of a crime or offense, or with knowledge it will be used for that purpose.

takes a broader approach by recognizing that sophisticated communications techniques, including those enabled by technology, play a central role in modern fraud schemes. The statute consolidates fraud and organized fraud offenses, aligns state law with federal mail and wire fraud precedents, and includes enhanced penalties for certain first-degree felony offenses. It also provides civil remedies related to identity misuse and sets limitation periods and tolling rules that account for defendants who are absent from the state or lack an ascertainable address.

These statutory definitions reinforce something title professionals already know from experience: fraud is not defined by medium but by intent and effect. A voice message, video call, or carefully worded email can be just as fraudulent as a forged signature on paper. What matters is whether it induces action based on false representations.

Federal Reporting and Awareness Efforts

At the federal level, activity has focused on understanding and reporting on the risks associated with AI technologies. For example, legislation passed in connection with the 2021 星空传媒 Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) the Department of Homeland Security to produce annual reports on digital content forgery technology. 鈥� the core technology behind deepfakes.

For those of you who enjoy reading more technical material, the is available for your enjoyment.  A review of the report makes it clear that the technology and its potential for harm to our industry is complicated.

These federal efforts help catalog the risks and raise awareness across industries, but they do not change state criminal or civil liability in property transactions. Instead, they improve the information environment in which professionals and regulators operate.

What This Means for Title Professionals

When closings are reviewed after fraud occurs, the focus will likely shift to whether steps were taken to verify identity, authority, and intent, and whether those steps were reasonable under the circumstances. This reflects how fraud is often evaluated after the fact: technology may enable new methods of deception, but it does not change the underlying wisdom: Verify, Then Trust before acting.

The Bottom Line

Regulatory and statutory changes are not abstract developments. They reflect how lawmakers and enforcers are applying long-established fraud principles to modern threats.

Deepfakes and AI-enabled impersonation present real risks in real estate transactions. The truth is, when fraud is investigated or litigated, attention will likely shift beyond the technology itself to how the transaction unfolded, including whether identity and authority were meaningfully confirmed before reliance occurred.

For agents who incorporate verification as a routine part of their workflow, 鈥淰erify, Then Trust鈥� functions as a practical risk-management framework. It aligns with the way fraud is examined after the fact and supports defensible decision-making when transactions are questioned. Applied consistently, this approach helps protect the transaction, the parties involved, and the professionals responsible for bringing the deal to completion.

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By Mauri Hawkins, Chief Claims Counsel, 星空传媒

Title pros know that fraud is a big problem in our industry, but the available data is still eye-popping. In 2024, the American Land Title Association (ALTA) reported that fraud and forgery claim costs averaged over $143,000 per incident.[i] Such losses can significantly impact a typical agency鈥檚 business, which makes prevention your best defense. To help, we鈥檝e outlined 2026鈥檚 top fraud threats as well as strategies for spotting them early and protecting every file, every party, every day.

Why redouble our focus on fraud in 2026?

Fraud in 2026 harms businesses in a way that goes beyond dollars and cents. Fraud can also inflict major reputational damage, leading to lost referrals and, quite possibly, the closure of your business itself. In short, fraud and forgery can derail your company鈥檚 goals and prospects in both the short and long term. These serious consequences highlight why we must scrutinize the details of every file that comes across our desks鈥攑articularly from the insidious schemes we will explore below.

Seller impersonation is a danger

First up is seller impersonation. Increasingly common, seller impersonators pose as property owners and sell properties out from under the real owners without their even knowing. Given how widespread it has become, agents must never eyeball ID documents. ID-verification tools must be used on every file, every party, every day instead. Agents must also take time to scrutinize notary seals and the notaries themselves. When possible, avoid mail-away closings and use a reputable remote online notarization (RON) provider. Also, validate IDs at the time you receive an order, as this helps stop fraud in its tracks! And finally, educate your real estate agents, lenders and consumers on the very real risk of losing their money.

Vacant land sales pose a real threat

Vacant land remains another top fraud target in 2026. It is driving a huge share of claims nationwide and can get wildly expensive.

To cut down on these claims, ID-verification tools are again your best friend. Apply them to every file at the beginning of each order. That way, you can properly verify the parties involved and not waste time on bogus deals.

You should also always contact vested owners at a trusted address, whether by email or by mail, to confirm the sale. Finally, stay on guard for red flags like recent address changes or sudden changes to entity information located in the Secretary of State records. Those are go-to moves that sophisticated fraudsters love to deploy.

Fight back against payoff fraud

At 星空传媒 星空传媒, we are also seeing a sharp rise in payoff fraud. These involve bad actors injecting themselves into the payoff process and rerouting funds away from the real lender or servicer and into their own bank accounts. Fraudsters have gotten good at compromising payoff mechanisms鈥攆rom email to fax. Given that, the principle of Verify, Then Trust matters more than ever before.

Some best practices to remember include:

• Never accept payoff info from a party to the transaction.
• Prior to sending funds, confirm with the lender, using independently verified contact information, the wire information or payment address.
• Follow the verified lender instructions exactly and double-check payment details before disbursing.
• Treat any last-minute changes or 鈥渘ew鈥� payoff directions as a major red flag, and contact the lender directly at the independently verified contact information before taking any further action.

For more best practices, managers should review  on handling payoffs securely and share it with their agents.

Staying cyber smart

No conversation about fraud in 2026 would be complete without touching upon cybersecurity concerns, particularly from phishing emails. Cyberattacks are one of the most common ways fraudsters can attack our industry. In fact, data reveals that over $16 billion in losses resulted from cybersecurity issues alone.[ii]

The silver lining is that we have a powerful way to prevent cybercrime and stem these losses. The numbers show that one of the most consistent reasons why a cyberattack is successful has to do with human error. Implementing security awareness training for your agency can reduce the likelihood of a fraudster pulling a fast one by 70-90%.[iii]

Strong cyber insurance is also essential for agencies to protect themselves from fraudsters. Review your policy鈥檚 terms and conditions thoroughly, institute processes and procedures for the team to follow in each transaction, and document each file with the actions taken to show that the processes and procedures were followed. This is highly important for when a claim is made under the cyber insurance policy.

You have a partner in the fight against fraud

At 星空传媒 星空传媒, we鈥檙e here to support you in the fight against fraudsters. We have resources that can help:

• 星空传媒 星空传媒 Crime Watch Program: If an 星空传媒 星空传媒 agent鈥檚 employee spots and prevents possible fraud, agency management can nominate that employee to receive an award. Find more information here about the program.
• The 星空传媒 星空传媒 Fraud Prevention Tips: Find handy best practices for spotting and stopping fraud with this tip sheet.
• ID Verification Tools: Explore today鈥檚 top platforms and make sure your team is trained on the right policies and best practices. 星空传媒 星空传媒 agents, for example, 鈥攁 leading identity verification provider.

You鈥檙e ready to face fraudsters

Armed with these tools and knowledge of 2026鈥檚 top fraud threats, you鈥檙e ready to spot bad actors and act before a scheme escalates into a loss.  Just remember to never take anything at face value and to verify before you ever extend your trust. By approaching your files with the mantra of 鈥淰erify, Then Trust鈥� in mind, you can rest easy knowing you鈥檝e protected every file, every party, every day.  

[i]

[ii]

[iii]

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As fraud tactics evolve, so must the way the industry protects consumers and transactions. That鈥檚 why 星空传媒 星空传媒 has launched Verify, Then Trust鈥攁 new initiative designed to raise awareness and reinforce best practices that help stop fraud before it becomes a claim. Agents are urged to Verify, Then Trust on every file, every party, every time.

The Rise of Deepfake Fraud in Real Estate

Deepfake fraud has been making headlines in unexpected ways, and real estate is one of the latest industries to be hit. In the past two years, fraudsters have leveraged AI-powered deepfake technology to pose as property owners, financial executives, and even notary publics. Even experienced agents working with what they think are repeat or loyal customers have suffered devastating losses.

Take, for example, a case from 2023 where a scammer used a deepfake voice to impersonate a real estate attorney in communications with a client. The unsuspecting buyer believed he was speaking with his legitimate attorney and wired a six-figure down payment鈥攕traight into the scammer鈥檚 account.

Another shocking case involved a fraudster using a deepfake video to pose as a property owner looking to sell a luxury home. The scammer managed to fool not only the buyer, but also the title company, leading to the fraudulent sale of a multimillion-dollar estate.

Of course, there was also the fraudulent attempt to force a foreclosure sale of Graceland, Elvis Presley鈥檚 home, which made headlines in 2024. These fraudsters are bold and believe that increasingly large and high-profile targets can yield even bigger payouts.

How to Combat Deepfake Fraud in Real Estate

With deepfake technology becoming more advanced, spotting fraud with the naked eye is harder than ever. But that doesn鈥檛 mean we鈥檙e powerless. Here are some strategies to avoid falling victim:

Double-Verify Identities
Don鈥檛 rely solely on phone calls, video calls, or emails. Always confirm identities through multiple channels鈥攕uch as in-person meetings, official documentation, letters via 鈥渟nail mail,鈥� and voice confirmation through previously established phone numbers. This is even more critical in vacant land transactions or refinances involving free and clear properties.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
When transferring funds or signing critical documents, consider requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA). This adds an extra layer of security beyond visual or voice verification alone. It鈥檚 always important to treat funds with great care鈥攁s if the money were your own鈥攁nd take appropriate steps to protect them. If funds go missing, customers may seek reimbursement from the agent鈥檚 personal account.

Scrutinize Video Calls and Emails
If something feels off鈥攍ike unnatural blinking, delayed audio sync, or robotic speech patterns鈥攂e skeptical. Deepfake videos often have subtle imperfections that can give them away. Ask probing questions a deepfake would not be able to answer accurately. You may even want to establish a special passphrase with customers, provided to them only through a secure portal.

Conduct Due Diligence
If a new client or seller suddenly appears with urgent demands, do your due diligence. Check property records, verify business affiliations, and ensure everything aligns with known facts. As they saying goes: If it appears too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers also like to amp-up the pressure, so do not let a hurried closing or pushy customer cause you to shortcut your verification processes.

Leverage Fraud Detection Tools
Just as AI is being used to create deepfakes, it鈥檚 also being used to detect them. Some AI-driven tools analyze facial movements, voice anomalies, and inconsistencies in digital assets to help identify fraudulent activity. In the real estate space, tools such as CertifID add another layer of confidence to the process. 星空传媒 星空传媒 agents can now use CertifID with discounted pricing to protect deals by verifying identities, managing and ordering payoffs, and securing wire instructions. Verify, then Trust 鈥� every file, every party, every time.

The Bottom Line

Deepfake technology is no longer a futuristic concern鈥攊t鈥檚 here, and it鈥檚 changing the way fraudsters operate. By staying vigilant and implementing multi-layered verification methods, you can ensure that your next property transaction doesn鈥檛 turn into a deepfake disaster. Remember: Verify, Then Trust 鈥� every file, every party, every time.

See 星空传媒 星空传媒鈥檚 recent , which was inspired by a real-life attempt to commit wire fraud using deepfake technology.

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By Adam Mohrbacher

For most homeowners, a deed represents safety, stability, and legacy. Deed fraud turns that certainty upside down. With just a handful of fraudulent filings, criminals can trigger months鈥攕ometimes years鈥攐f financial and legal turmoil for unsuspecting owners. This crime is growing rapidly and poses a serious threat to the real estate and title industries, often leaving lasting damage in its wake. 鈥淒eed fraud is a very real threat,鈥� said Rodney Anderson, EVP and 星空传媒 Agency Manager at 星空传媒 星空传媒. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about someone鈥檚 home, their family鈥檚 legacy, and sometimes their entire life鈥檚 savings. That鈥檚 why the legislation recently passed by the Texas Legislature鈥攕haped with critical input from organizations like the Texas Land Title Association (TLTA)鈥攊s so important.鈥�

Anderson is referring in part to Senate Bill 16 (SB 16), which significantly strengthens prosecutors鈥� ability to pursue deed fraud cases. SB 16 is a cornerstone of a broader legislative package designed to attack deed fraud from multiple angles. Led by State Senator Royce West, the effort positions Texas as a national leader in confronting this urgent and complex issue. 鈥淭ogether, these bills create the strongest state-level protections against deed fraud and title theft anywhere in the country,鈥� Senator West said upon their signing.

An Easy Crime with Devastating Consequences

Legislative action was necessary because deed fraud is not only destructive. It is also often disturbingly easy to commit. One scheme fraudsters use involves falsified documents transferring ownership into their name or an entity they control. They frequently target raw land, vacant properties, and deceased or elderly property owners. Once the fraudulent conveyance is recorded, they 鈥渟ell鈥� the property, disappearing long before the real owner realizes the damage that has been done.

This scheme and others like it succeed by exploiting weaknesses in document notarization and recording processes, as well as challenges within the legal system. While Texas law already required notaries to verify signatures, inconsistent compliance and limited accountability left openings for fraud and abuse. County clerks, meanwhile, are tasked with processing documents efficiently, not investigating their authenticity. In many cases, victims don鈥檛 discover fraud until they try to legitimately sell or refinance their property. And even then, the ordeal is far from over. 鈥淭he cleanup process can be brutal,鈥� Anderson explained. 鈥淧roving a deed is fraudulent usually requires formal legal action, and that process is expensive and time-consuming.鈥�

Historically, prosecutors have been hesitant to pursue these cases criminally, not due to lack of concern, but like most states, Texas lacked statutes tailored specifically to deed fraud. Prosecutors were forced to rely on general theft statutes, attempting to fit complex title crimes into legal arguments that simply weren鈥檛 designed for this kind of crime.

A Comprehensive Legislative Response

The Texas Legislature addressed these gaps with a four-bill package that reforms the system holistically. The measures strengthen prevention, improve detection, empower victims, and equip prosecutors with felony statutes that reflect deed fraud鈥檚 complex reality.

Key provisions include:

• Senate Bill 16

Creates two new criminal offenses specifically addressing real property theft and real property fraud, giving prosecutors statutes that align with how deed fraud schemes operate. 鈥淭hese laws send a clear message that Texas is serious about detecting, prosecuting, and deterring deed fraud,鈥� said Anderson. 鈥淭hey won鈥檛 stop every bad actor, but they make fraud harder to commit, easier to detect, and faster to unwind without overburdening legitimate transactions.鈥�

• Senate Bill 647

Requires county clerks to notify the grantor, grantee, and most recent property owner if a lien appears fraudulent. It also allows clerks to request supporting documentation, seek district attorney assistance, and refuse filing if certain documentation is not provided.

• Senate Bill 693

Targets notary reform by criminalizing notarization without a signer鈥檚 presence and establishing continuing education requirements through the Secretary of State. The goal is to raise professional standards and accountability among notaries.

• Senate Bill 1734

Allows property owners who believe a recorded conveyance is fraudulent to file an owner鈥檚 affidavit. If no controverting affidavit is filed, the owner may petition for district court for an expedited review.

The Power of Collaboration

This legislative success underscores the power of collaboration. It was made possible by lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement, county officials, and industry leaders working toward a shared goal. Senator West led the charge, with key contributions from State Representative Rafael Anchia in the Texas House. Coordination with the County Clerk鈥檚 Association, the Dallas District Attorney鈥檚 office, and John Warren, the Dallas County Clerk, was critical along with input from the Texas Land Title Association. 鈥淭LTA鈥檚 advocacy on this issue demonstrated exactly why all Texas title agents should be a member of the association,鈥� said Anderson, a former legislator, past TLTA president and current committee chair. 鈥淭LTA Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel, Aaron Day, led the advocacy efforts with substantial input from both the Regulatory and Legislative Committees, and with approval from the TLTA Board of Directors.鈥�

A Model for the Nation

The Texas deed fraud package represents a meaningful victory for property owners and the real estate industry alike. It strengthens notary standards, supports county clerks, empowers victims, and gives prosecutors the tools they need to pursue justice. Just as importantly, it offers a roadmap that other states can follow. 鈥淭his legislation should be used as a model throughout the country,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淟and title associations can partner with lawmakers, prosecutors, and public officials to reduce deed fraud. No law is perfect, but if collaboration leads to legislation that protects families鈥攐r helps owners reclaim property faster鈥攖hen it鈥檚 absolutely worth the effort.鈥�

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As we enter the final weeks of 2025, we have an opportunity to look back at the overall real estate market and the title insurance industry. With the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this year, mortgage rates have decreased 鈥� but nowhere near the lower rates seen in 2021. We also saw home price increases continue to slow down in many markets¹. In September, American Land Title Association² reported that title insurance premiums increased, but paid title claims had also increased when compared to the same time last year. Here are a few areas that contributed to title claims in 2025.

Scams

First, fraud scams continue to be an expansive and expensive thorn in our industry鈥檚 side. With scammers leveraging social engineering and devices to manipulate, influence, and deceive, they continue to prey on what they see as a lucrative market and a quick payday. From impersonations to falsifying documents, scammers are negatively impacting those who are legitimately trying to sell property, buy property, refinance, or just trying to enjoy their property in peace. As an industry in recent years, in my opinion, it appears there has been an increase in the number of submitted title claim notices involving lawsuits challenging the validity and veracity of recorded real property instruments or the authority of a person to execute documents on behalf of a person or entity in the chain of title. We suggest that you and your office continue to be on guard and mindful of the many fraud schemes impacting your community and communities nationwide, as the use of these schemes is not slowing down.

Lender and its foreclosure

Also, we鈥檝e seen an increase in lender claim submissions in connection with preparing to foreclose. Most lenders obtain foreclosure title search reports before starting the foreclosure process. These reports identify matters that are to be addressed before or during the foreclosure process. Title matters include areas such as delinquent back taxes, lack of recorded release, satisfaction or cancellation of a mortgage / deed of trust / security deed, a person鈥檚 ownership interest that has not been conveyed; or, if an owner is divorced or deceased, no recorded information on how the property was dealt with. Also, there are such issues as homestead and marital rights that may impact the enforceability of a mortgage on the property. For example, in some states, if the property is titled in one spouse鈥檚 name but the mortgage is not executed by both spouses and a disclaimer of interest is not executed, there may be a title issue with the mortgage. Just like reading a fascinating book, the county land record tells the story of the property鈥檚 title. Thus, if there is missing information in the record that imparts constructive notice to others, such as breaks in the chain of title and unsatisfied liens, the story is not complete.

Legal Right of Access

In addition, the department saw issues involving a lack of legal right of access. On occasion, an incorrect presumption was made that an abutting road, appearing on a map or survey, provides a legal right of access to the property. It is unclear whether one county also found the matter to be a growing problem and thus instituted an ordinance in 2024. The ordinance requires that 鈥渁ny instrument recorded in the Official Records of Highlands County, Florida, which grants, conveys, or transfers fee simple ownership in and to real property shall be accompanied by an affidavit or affidavits verifying the roadway status related to the real property.鈥� If the roadway is not a public road, a dedicated right-of-way, or created by a recorded easement, by court order, or other statutory means, then this may result in a title claim seeking to establish the legal right of access over the private road. As part of the transaction, the property鈥檚 right of legal access ought to be reviewed, analyzed and determined.

Missing from the Title Search and Title Commitment Requirements Not Addressed

Lastly, this year some claims involved either a title searcher missing a recorded document; or a search and examined document impacting the real property that was not included on the title insurance products or was included but not addressed in connection with the transaction. Examples include missed easements, missed and valid use restrictions involving the property, and unreleased partial claims mortgages, revolving line of credit mortgages, or similar mortgages that are either incorrectly presumed to have been included with another mortgage or incorrect reliance on unverified information given by the debtor without obtaining written confirmation directly from the lender. To help avoid these issues, provide the title searcher and examiner with the correct information on the property involved and the full names of the parties in the transaction so the best title search results are provided. Also, trust in your own due diligence and not rely solely on information provided to you by a party.

Conclusion

Even though this is not an exhaustive list, it is no surprise that all the above title claim areas can be prevented through your efforts and diligence.

We appreciate our partnership with our title agents. You are on the front lines every day. As skilled title professionals, we know that buyers, sellers, and lenders value your role in protecting their investment and the American Dream of homeownership.

Resources:

¹ Ashley Harrison and Angelica Leicht. November 5, 2025. Housing Market Predictions For 2025: When Will Home Prices Drop?

²American Land Title Association. ALTA Reports Q2 2025 Market Share and Title Insurance Premium Volume.  .

³ Highlands County, Florida Clerk of Courts. Roadway Status Affidavit at Property Transfer.  

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By: Elyce Schweitzer,Regulatory Compliance Officer, 星空传媒

For most homebuyers, even five years ago, the experience was familiar: a conference room, a stack of papers taller than a coffee cup, and an aching wrist from signing your name what felt like 437 times. Title insurance鈥攅ssential though it is鈥攚as part of that long, paperwork-heavy ritual. Fast forward to present day, and the industry is in the middle of a transformation. Over the last several years, title insurance has quietly gone digital, automated, and even futuristic in some places. Let鈥檚 take a tour of what鈥檚 changed.

Digital Closings: Say Goodbye to the Paper Stack

Picture this: instead of driving across town to a title agency or a lawyer鈥檚 office, you鈥檙e sitting in your living room, coffee in hand, while a notary verifies your identity over video. Consumers sign documents electronically, and the county records the deed the same day.

This isn鈥檛 science fiction鈥攊t鈥檚 now reality in most states.

• Remote notarization (signing over video with an online notary) is legal in almost every state.
• eMortgages with their digital 鈥渆Notes鈥澛爎epresent loans which big players like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac happily purchase on the secondary market.聽The GSEs now publish clear rulebooks spelling out when they鈥檒l accept full digital closings, partial digital closings, or traditional paper.

This consistency has made it much easier for lenders and title companies to modernize without fear of rejection.

• According to , electronic recording is available in 2,607 counties nationwide, so the 鈥渨aiting for the mail鈥� stage is nearly gone, and the time it takes to run over to the courthouse can be better spent on聽other essential title agent tasks.聽 The number of counties accepting electronic recording is only going to continue to grow.

The result? A process that once required customers to drive across town with pen in hand now happens through a few clicks and a video call.


Artificial Intelligence: The New Title Assistant

Artificial intelligence (AI) has found its way into title insurance too鈥攁nd not in a creepy 鈥渞obot lawyer鈥� way.

• Computers can now scan public records in minutes to spot simple cases that used to take days.
• Smart assistants help staff open orders, draft commitments, pull tax information, and vesting deeds and even write emails.
• Connected systems cut down on the mind-numbing retyping of names and addresses into multiple platforms.

This doesn鈥檛 mean human players in the process have been replaced. Instead, it frees up title professionals to focus on the tricky stuff鈥攍ike unraveling messy ownership histories or catching hidden liens鈥攚hile the software handles the repetitive grunt work.


Battling Fraudsters: Keeping Closings Safe

Whenever money moves, crooks are never far behind. Real estate closings are still prime targets because they involve large sums of money. The industry has responded with new layers of armor:

• Wire fraud protections. Verification tools double-check bank account info before money is sent.
• Fake-seller scams. Fraudsters pretending to own vacant land are being stopped by tougher ID checks and stricter notary rules and processes.
• Multi-step identity proofing. Online notarization often requires scanning your ID, answering 鈥淜nowledge Based Authentication鈥� security questions, and even facial recognition.
• Guidance from industry associations, regulators and stakeholders.聽 All of these stakeholders have ramped up their messaging, education, and training efforts to combat fraud. Delivering the information electronically through email, webpages, eNewsletters, webinars, social media, and other modern methods make it widely accessible for all participants in the industry. 聽Tip: check out the recent update to which recommends every title and settlement company create and implement an Identity Fraud Prevention Program.

Buying a home will always be stressful, but with today鈥檚 safeguards, agents can help ensure their clients鈥� funds don鈥檛 end up in the wrong hands.


Instant Money: No More 鈥淗urry Up and Wait鈥�

Remember when Friday closings meant sitting on pins and needles waiting for the funds to 鈥渃lear鈥�? That鈥檚 changing. We now have the technology with FedNow and RTP instant payment systems that can move money immediately, instead of waiting hours or days.

State laws are slow to catch up, but they are making progress. For example, as of January 1, 2026, Kansas Statute s. 40-1137(c)(6) adds 鈥渁 real-time or instant payment through the FedNow service 鈥� or the clearing house 鈥� real-time payments (RTP) system鈥� to the list of permissible closing funds; also check out Nebraska鈥檚 recent amendment embracing FedNow and RTP as 鈥済ood funds鈥� (R.R.S. Neb. 搂 76-2,121(2)) and Missouri鈥檚 amendment redefining 鈥渃ertified funds鈥� to include FedNow and RTP (搂 381.410 R.S.Mo.). Where statutes were once either clearly prohibitive or ambiguous about permitting instant payments, states may be on the verge of a legislative trend to support the new capabilities. We can now foresee a near future where buyers and sellers don鈥檛 have to twiddle their thumbs waiting for wires and aren鈥檛 relegated to closing during traditional banking hours of Monday through Friday, 9 to 5.


The Bottom Line: Closings Go Digital

Five years ago, buying a house meant stacks of paper, endless signatures, and waiting days for documents to be recorded and funds to clear. Today, in many markets, you can buy a house in your pajamas, sign over a video call, and have everything official by dinnertime.

The title insurance industry may not be glamorous, but it鈥檚 quietly embracing the digital age鈥攎aking closings faster, safer, more accessible, efficient and (dare we say it) a little less painful for the customer.

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