01/13/26

Awareness alone is no longer enough to protect your customers, your transactions or your reputation. Fraud is evolving rapidly, and the real estate industry must evolve just as quickly. That’s why we’re highlighting a recent podcast featuring advice from one of the title industry’s most important leaders.

In the conversation, Chris Morton, the CEO of the American Land Title Association, emphasized that while talking about fraud is essential, it’s only a starting point. “Awareness is important, but we have to even do more than we are.” So how can all of us in real estate better protect our transactions? Here are four suggestions we took from Morton’s conversation.

Build a deeper understanding of today’s evolving risks. Morton stressed the need to “build significant understanding of the risks” because criminals are constantly adapting. “These are sophisticated criminals… taking advantage of every opportunity and gap that exists.” Understanding the risks today means recognizing that criminals use synthetic identities, AI-driven communications, realistic branding and urgent messaging to insert themselves into transactions.

Use powerful tools and technology. The industry must “double, triple, quadruple down on staying ahead with the right technology.” Morton highlighted the importance of tools like:

• Multi-factor authentication
• Encrypted communication platforms
• Identity verification tools
• Secure portals
• Phishing simulations

Technology, when paired with strong protocols, is the most effective way to stop fraud before it reaches customers. Ask your branch about the tools we use to keep you safer and more secure. We’d love to share our knowledge with you and your clients.

Understand that criminals are getting smarter, too. Bad actors have innovation on their side. Scammers can now clone voices, mimic email domains and replicate branding with alarming accuracy. All of us in real estate must strengthen internal processes and escalation procedures to keep pace.

Elevate our messaging about fraud. Morton’s point was not to stop spreading the word about fraud. However, all of us must do a better job helping each other identify risks, communicate with buyers and sellers and shore up vulnerable spots. After all, a unified communication framework helps professionals identify risks sooner, share confirmed information and create consistent expectations for customers.

Thank you, Chris Morton, for sharing your expertise so the world can hear the message. Your knowledge and commitment to protecting our industry are among the reasons we are proud ALTA members. Many of our professionals are also involved in state and local organizations, too.

It may be a new year, but the mission remains the same when it comes to fighting fraud: do everything it takes to keep our partners and customers safe. This is not a battle we can win on our own. Let’s keep working together to push back against cybercriminals, and remember, if something seems off, it probably is.