Westcor val-ID Tool Helps Stop Fraudulent Real Estate Transaction

November 12, 2025

The identity verification application val-ID offered by Westcor Land Title Insurance Co. recently played a key role in preventing a fraudulent real estate transaction.

The incident involved a suspected fraudulent seller attempting to impersonate the true property owner. During the transaction, Westcor agent Guarantee Title Co., located in Pace, Fla., requested the seller complete the val-ID verification process. When the seller refused, it raised immediate red flags. Acting swiftly, the Guarantee Title team halted the transaction and confirmed the attempt was indeed fraudulent. They even contacted a competing title agency to compare information to that of the supposed seller. Upon confirmation, the closing was shut down and a full loss of over $200,000 on a waterfront vacant lot was avoided.

Stopping the transaction highlights the growing importance of collaboration and technology in combating identity-based title fraud.

“Five years ago, a competitor would not have assisted us in verifying the information we had about the seller was suspect,” said Brandon Spain, president of Guarantee Title. “But today, the cooperation amongst title agents is high knowing the stakes that we all face if just one of these fraudulent transactions succeed. The threat of seller impersonation is all too real, and attempts are being made regularly. We must stay vigilant.”

Westcor’s val-ID platform enables title agents to validate the authenticity of a party’s government-issued identification, such as driver’s licenses and passports, helping detect impersonation and prevent fraudulent closings before they occur.

“val-ID has been an invaluable tool in helping our agents avoid fraud in real estate transactions,” said Richard Murray, senior vice president of product solutions at Westcor. “Together with our tool for fighting wire fraud, val-WIRE, our agents have the ability to fight back against both identification and wire theft.”


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].