Top 10 Most Read Articles of 2023
10. Report: $1.4B in Suspected Wire Fraud Identified by CertifID in 2022
CertifID identified $1.4 billion in suspected wire fraud attempts during 2022, according to a report released by the wire fraud protection firm.
9. 3 Common Misconceptions About Password Security
You may be surprised to learn that some commonly held beliefs about passwords are more harmful than helpful. This article highlights three of these misconceptions to ensure that you and your business are armed with the right information to keep up with the latest password security best practices.
8. ALTA Unveils New Brand Identity and Website
ALTA unveiled its new brand identity—redesigned for the first time in nearly 60 years to reflect how the industry has adapted in the digital age—and revamped website during ALTA ONE, the largest annual event for the land title insurance industry.
7. Suing and Serving Phantoms and Ghosts in Real Estate Quiet Title Cases
The overall objectives of pursuing a quiet title action is to bring in all interested parties that have an interest in the property before the court, to resolve the title problem and to obtain a title for the plaintiff that is marketable and insurable by a title insurance company for a sale or refinance. Both the legal and financial stakes can be high in quiet title litigation because without a clear title the owner cannot sell or refinance, and a lender cannot protect its priority title position.
6. Digital Closings Increase, but Barriers Slow Adoption
Fully digital or hybrid closings increased to 10% of all transactions last year compared to 7% of all deals closed in 2021, according to a study sponsored by the ALTA Land Title Institute.
5. Eleventh Circuit Finds No Coverage for Fraudulent Wire Transfer Under Cybercrime Endorsement
Stephen Gregory, claims counsel for WFG National Title Insurance Co., reviews a recent decision by the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals that affirmed a title company did not have coverage for a fraudulent wire transfer under the cybercrime endorsement of its cybersecurity policy. Read on for the facts of the case.
4. Buyer Suffers Wire Fraud Loss, Not Escrow Company
A buyer bore the loss when she fell for the trap of phishing wire transfer instructions and wired the purchase money to a fraudster and not the escrow company, the Nevada Court of Appeals held. Read on to learn why this ruling is helpful to the title and settlement industry.
3. Red Flags and Tips to Help Prevent Seller Impersonation in Real Estate
Real estate transactions have been a prime target of cybercrime over the past decade. There is little sign of this slowing even as the housing market continues to slow. Instead, fraudsters continue to evolve their scam and money laundering tactics to avoid detection.
2. Guidance on How FDIC Protects Escrow Accounts, Bank Deposits
In light of multiple bank failures, title and escrow professionals should understand how the FDIC protects bank deposits, including title agency funds, escrow funds and independent customer funds. Read on to learn about the FDIC insurance limits, how this impacts escrow accounts, what you should tell your customers and relevant ALTA Best Practices.
1. ALTA Publishes Major Revision to Best Practices
The revisions were made with the specific objective of allowing title agents and direct operations to continually improve their practices and procedures to ensure financial, data security and operational stability, and to provide lenders and other constituents with the assurances that their needs are being fulfilled by these efforts.
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