Stop Losing Clients to Fraud: The New Title Insurance Endorsements Protecting Homeowners in 2025

Finding a real estate agent who understands fraud protection has never been more critical as title fraud reaches epidemic levels, with criminals now targeting homeowners even after closing day.

Your clients’ homes—their largest financial assets—are under attack from increasingly sophisticated fraudsters who forge deeds, impersonate sellers, and steal equity while you’re closing the deal.

The American Land Title Association just released new title insurance endorsements that finally provide post-policy protection against these crimes, but most agents don’t know they exist.

Why This Matters Right Now

Title fraud isn’t theoretical anymore—it’s happening in your market, right now.

28% of title insurance companies experienced at least one seller impersonation fraud attempt in 2023[1]. The FBI reported $174 million in real estate cyber-enabled losses in 2024 alone[2].

But here’s the stat that should keep you up at night: title fraud and forgery claims are over 5X higher than other title claims, averaging $143,000 per incident[1].

That’s not just a number. That’s your client’s equity. That’s their trust in you.

The Scenario Every Agent Fears

Picture this: Your client closes on their dream home. Everything goes smoothly. You exchange hugs, they post the keys on Instagram, life is good.

Six months later, your phone rings.

A forged deed has shown up in the public record. A criminal recorded a fake mortgage against their property. Their title is clouded. Their equity is at risk. They’re panicking.

You explain that standard title insurance only covers issues before the policy date. Their face falls. They realize they’re on their own for legal costs to correct the record—costs that can reach $50,000+ in contested cases.

Worse? They post about it on social media. A prospective buyer sees it and chooses another agent. You lose referrals from a client relationship that should have lasted a lifetime.

Why the Old System Failed

Title fraud has evolved faster than the industry’s defenses.

Criminals now:

• Hack email accounts of real estate professionals and title companies, injecting fraudulent wire instructions
• Create deepfake documents with scannable barcodes and security features
• Target properties with absentee owners or those in probate
• Record forged mortgages to extract equity or cloud titles for future schemes

Standard title insurance protects the lender or owner against issues that existed before closing.

But seller impersonation fraud and deed forgery often happen after closing—when a criminal records a fake deed and either tries to extract equity or forces the homeowner into years of legal battles.

ALTA’s Answer: New Endorsements for the Modern Threat

The American Land Title Association recognized this protection gap and developed new endorsements specifically designed to cover post-closing fraud scenarios. These endorsements represent a significant shift in how the title insurance industry addresses emerging threats to homeowners[3].

The new endorsements provide coverage for:

• Forged deeds recorded after closing - If a criminal records a fake deed in the homeowner’s name, the endorsement covers legal costs to remove it
• Seller impersonation fraud - Protection if someone impersonates the seller during the transaction
• Identity theft related to title - Coverage for costs associated with identity-based title fraud
• Fraudulent post-closing liens - Defense against fake mortgages or liens recorded by criminals

How This Changes Your Client Conversations

As markets continue to evolve and cyber threats increase, informed agents are differentiating themselves[4]. When you present these new endorsements to buyers during closing preparation, you’re not just protecting their investment—you’re demonstrating expertise and building trust.

Here’s how to position it:

Instead of: “Standard title insurance covers pre-closing issues.”

Say this: “We’re adding an ALTA endorsement that protects you even if someone tries to commit fraud after you own the home. Your equity stays yours, and we cover the legal costs to fight it.”

Your clients will remember that you went above and beyond when every other agent just said “congratulations and goodbye.”

What This Means for Your Business

The 2025 real estate landscape demands agents who understand emerging risks[5]. Title fraud is no longer a rare occurrence—it’s becoming a competitive differentiator in client conversations.

Agents offering these new protections are:

• Reducing post-closing client emergencies
• Building referral-worthy relationships
• Positioning themselves as fraud-prevention experts
• Capturing higher client lifetime value

Your title company partner likely already has these endorsements available. The question is: are you offering them?

The Bottom Line

Your clients trust you with their largest financial decisions. The new ALTA endorsements give you the tools to protect that trust, even after closing day.

Stop letting title fraud be the thing that turns happy clients into angry social media posts. Start conversations about these new protections today, and watch how it transforms your client relationships and referral network.

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Sources

[1] American Land Title Association. Title Insurance Industry Report 2024. https://www.alta.org

[2] Federal Bureau of Investigation. Real Estate Cyber-Enabled Crime Report 2024. https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber

[3] Accardo Real Estate. US Housing Market Update November 2025 – Compass Economist Insights. https://accardorealestate.com/blog/us-housing-market-update-november-2025-or-compass-economist-insights

[4] My Home North Carolina. October 2025 Market Trends. https://myhomenorthcarolina.com/october-2025-market-trends/

[5] Zillow Home Values Analysis 2025. https://www.zillow.com/home-values/102001/united-states/