REALTORS® Land Institute Safety Month Series - Part 3

A convincing driver’s license used to provide a lot of reassurance.

Today, it’s only the start of the verification process.

Fraudsters involved in seller impersonation schemes may have stolen personal information, forged identification or enough details about the real property owner to appear legitimate.

That changes the question from “Did we check an ID?” to “Did we verify the person?”

Start With More Than One Source

For land professionals, identity verification doesn’t have to mean taking on the role of a title company or law-enforcement investigator.

It means not relying on a single piece of information.

Compare the seller’s name and ownership information with public property records. Look for inconsistencies in addresses, phone numbers or other details.

When possible, verify contact information through an independent source instead of relying entirely on the phone number and email address supplied by the person asking you to list the property.

A live phone or video conversation can provide another layer of confirmation, particularly when the seller is remote. ALTA’s seller impersonation research found that refusing voice or video calls was a common characteristic reported in attempted fraud transactions.

Bring the Title Professional In Early

Title and settlement professionals are strengthening their own verification procedures.

In 2025, ALTA updated its Best Practices Framework to include an identity fraud prevention program and additional guidance around government-issued identification, signing professionals and suspected impersonation attempts.

For the land broker, that makes collaboration especially important.

If something looks unusual, communicate it rather than assuming someone else in the transaction will catch it.

A seller who won’t speak by phone. A last-minute change in contact information. An unfamiliar notary selected by the seller. An inconsistency between the seller’s story and the public record.

Individually, each may have an innocent explanation. Together, they raise enough red flags to warrant another look.

New Title Insurance Protections Are Emerging

The title industry has also developed newer protections aimed at deed and mortgage forgery. ALTA introduced the 49 and 49.1 endorsements in 2025. They are designed to provide certain residential property owners with post-policy protection against future forged deeds or mortgages. The ALTA 49 endorsement is for eligible homeowners purchasing a new owner’s policy; the 49.1 is designed for certain owners with an existing policy.

There is an important distinction for land professionals: these endorsements are residential products. The ALTA 49.1 form (you can download it  here) applies to qualifying one-to-four-family residential property. They should not be assumed to cover vacant land, farms, ranches or commercial property.

The practical advice for clients is simple: ask a qualified title professional what protection is available for the specific property and transaction.

If Fraud Is Suspected, Don’t Wait

The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report recorded 12,368 complaints in its broader real estate fraud category, up from 9,359 in 2024. That category includes several types of real estate fraud—not just seller impersonation—but the increase reinforces the need for transaction security.

If a transaction appears fraudulent, involve the title or settlement professional immediately.

If suspicious documents have already been recorded, contact the appropriate local recording office and seek qualified legal guidance. If money has been transferred or fraudulent wiring instructions are involved, contact the financial institutions and law enforcement as quickly as possible.

Speed matters.

Verification Protects More Than the Closing

Land professionals, especially Accredited Land Consultants (ALCs), build their businesses on relationships and trust.

Taking an extra step to confirm who is on the other side of a transaction isn’t creating friction. It is protecting the seller, the buyer, the brokerage—and the integrity of the transaction.

Good verification doesn’t have to make business harder. It helps make good business safer.

REALTOR® Safety Month Series: This is Part 3 of RLI's series on seller impersonation and property title fraud. Read Part 1 here.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not legal, insurance or financial advice. Fraud-prevention procedures, recording practices and title insurance coverage vary by jurisdiction and transaction. Consult appropriate qualified professionals regarding specific circumstances.

Sources

1 ALTA seller impersonation fraud study summary (2024). https://www.alta.org/news-and-publications/news/20240730-Seller-Impersonation-Fraud-Attempts-Increase-Study-Shows

2 ALTA Best Practices identity-verification update (2025). https://www.alta.org/news-and-publications/news/20250819-ALTA-Updates-Best-Practices-to-Include-Requirements-for-Identity-Verification-Processes

3 ALTA release on ALTA 49 and 49.1 endorsements (2025). https://www.alta.org/news-and-publications/news/20250819-ALTA-Releases-Endorsements-to-Protect-Against-Forgery-Seller-Impersonation-Fraud

4 ALTA 49.1 endorsement form. https://www.alta.org/policies-and-standards/policy-forms/download?formID=706&type=pdf

5 FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center 2025 Internet Crime Report. https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2025_IC3Report.pdf