Advocacy

Title Acceptance Pilot

The Biden Administration released a plan aimed at lowering housing costs that includes a pilot to waive the requirement for lender’s title insurance on certain refinances. ALTA called the announcement a political gesture offering a false promise of savings for homeowners while exposing consumers, lenders and taxpayers to greater financial risk.

Unregulated Alternatives to Title Insurance

ALTA continues to take the lead in engaging with state regulators, the FHFA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and lenders about the risks of waiving title insurance requirements.

FinCEN

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) requires title companies to collect and report beneficial ownership information on certain real estate transactions.

Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Service

ALTA supports efforts to protect consumers by prohibiting the filing of unfair real estate fee agreements in property records. ALTA advocates for state laws and regulations preventing enforcement of NTRAPS.

Good Funds

The use of various payment rails in real estate transactions is governed by state Good Funds laws. These laws set requirements for acceptable forms of closing funds.

Seller Impersonation Fraud

Sophisticated fraudsters are using the real property owner’s Social Security and driver’s license numbers in the transaction, as well as legitimate notary credentials, which may be applied without the notary’s knowledge.

 What a $17 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme Means for Title Agents

March 31, 2026

A recent federal case out of Los Angeles offers a stark reminder that today’s fraud schemes are not just digital. These scams are operational, coordinated and designed to exploit the very mechanics of real estate transactions. Read on to learn how the scheme was carried out, the red flags and key processes and precedures title and settlement professionals should be following to help safeguard against these crimes.  

 That Zoom Update Isn't Real: How Hackers Are Hiding Inside Your Video Calls

March 26, 2026

Security researchers recently uncovered phishing campaigns that use fake meeting invitations for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet as bait. Read on to learn how criminals carry out this scheme.

 Fraud Watch: ‘Virtual Showing’ Scam Targets Real Estate Agents

March 26, 2026

In this scheme, fraudsters pose as prospective buyers and contact a real estate agent expressing interest in a property. Read on to learn more about how this scheme is carried out.

 FinCEN Pauses Reporting Following Federal Court Decision

March 24, 2026

Following a federal court ruling in Texas vacating FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Rule, FinCEN posted an alert on its website that said “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 Great Transaction Heist: How Title Professionals Must Respond to Wire Fraud

March 19, 2026

Wire fraud in real estate is no longer the work of opportunistic scammers. It has evolved into a sophisticated, global enterprise. One that is faster, smarter and often better organized than many in the industry understand. That was the stark message delivered to more than 400 attendees during the ALTA EDge session, “The Great Transaction Heist: Inside Modern Wire Fraud,” experts pulled back the curtain on how modern fraud operations really work.

 How Title Professionals Should Approach Charging for FinCEN Real Estate Reporting

February 26, 2026

In most closings, the responsibility for completing and filing a Real Estate Report will fall on the title or settlement professional. Title companies and settlement agents may charge a fee for the work performed to comply with the reporting requirement, but only in a way that complies with applicable federal and state laws. Read on to learn how title professionals plan to handle charging for the rule.