News + Publications
News + Publications

ALTA’s publications and news center brings the latest information affecting the title and settlement services industry to ALTA members. Whether you are looking for industry news, practical insights on issues affecting title insurance or our suite of legal and regulatory publications we have the news you need.
- TitleNews Magazine
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  Members of the title insurance industry work daily to assist consumers in purchasing new homes and enhancing their communities.
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  HomeClosing101.org
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Advocacy
Advocacy

ALTA represents its members on a national and state level by working closely with members of Congress, state legislatures and regulators to advocate on behalf of the land title industry.
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  TIPAC is the only PAC that directly represents the interest of the title industry in our nation's political system.
- Title Action Network (TAN)
  TAN is the premier grassroots organization promoting the value of the land title insurance industry.
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Events
Events

ALTA, along with affiliated land title associations, organizes dozens of world-class meetings each year. Each event is an opportunity for you to learn from industry experts, meet industry vendors and network with your peers.
Career + Learning
Career + Learning

Since 1971 ALTA has been the source of practical knowledge and skill-based training solutions for the title insurance industry. ALTA is dedicated to providing cutting edge educational solutions to our members through several options.
- National Title Professional Designation
  The National Title Professional (NTP) Designation is designed to recognize land title professionals
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Membership
Membership

ALTA is committed to your professional development. By becoming a member of ALTA, not only do you strengthen the industry’s future, you gain access to valuable resources to help your company differentiate itself in the market.
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  You will NOT receive member benefits. ALTA is no longer utilizing an occasional use waiver as a part of the Policy Forms Licensing structure for 2024 and going forward. The Policy Forms License for limited use can be acquired for $50.
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  Interested in becoming a member of ALTA? Get answers to some of the questions we are often asked.
Business Ops
Business Ops

ALTA’s primary purpose is to help our title industry members succeed professionally. ALTA has cultivated several tools to help ALTA members measure, improve and grow their business. ALTA’s suite of tools can help you at any stage of your business venture.
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Policies + Standards
Policies + Standards

One of ALTA’s main reasons for existing is to provide the title and settlement industry with industry-specific policy forms and standards that help the industry stay compliant with current regulations.
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About
About

Founded in 1907 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ALTA is the national trade association and voice of title insurance agents, abstracters* and underwriters are Active Members, ranging from small, one-county operations, to large national title insurers in the united states.
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Topics
Topics

In our topics collection, you can stay up to speed on the most relevant issues in our industry—and learn how ALTA is engaged. Visit a topic page to find all the information ALTA has on that subject—from a summary to relevant events, educational resources, consumer and client-facing materials, business resources, and advocacy information.
- Title Waiver 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.
- Digital Closings
  ALTA strives to help members identify the benefits and risks associated with digital closings in order to put the industry in the best position to solve problems and inspire innovative ideas. ALTA is your source for tools and education about digital closings.
- Artificial Intelligence
  Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the title insurance and settlement services sector, providing a diverse array of capabilities to enhance both efficiency and productivity.
- Cybersecurity
  Cybersecurity is a critical topic for the land title insurance and settlement industry and an ongoing threat to every title operation regardless of size, location or years in business.
- Wire Fraud
  Wire fraud is one of the biggest threats in the title industry. ALTA members must be aware of this threat and of the resources available to fight the fraud. This page includes many resources, tools and articles to help protect your company and customers from fraud.
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
  The proposed rule by U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will require title and settlement companies nationwide to report information about all-cash residential transactions nationwide involving legal entities and trusts.

Industry News

Fraud Risk Declines 11 Percent, CoreLogic Reports

July 23, 2019

Fraud risk declined more than 11 percent over the past year, according to the latest CoreLogic National Mortgage Application Fraud Risk Index.

New York, New Jersey, and Florida remain the top three states for mortgage application fraud risk, maintaining the same positions as last year. All the top 10 states showed increases in risk year-over-year.

The states with the greatest year-over-year growth in risk include New Mexico, Mississippi, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. Of these, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma now have risk levels greater than the National Index, which grew from 133 to 149 year-over-year.

The Conforming LTV≤80 purchase segment shows the greatest risk increase by loan type.

Income fraud risk had the greatest increase year-over-year, followed by occupancy and transaction fraud. Property and undisclosed real estate debt showed declines in risk.

According CoreLogic, the continued shift from a refinance-heavy market to a predominantly purchase market is a key factor in the application fraud risk increase. From Q2 2017 to Q2 2018, the proportion of purchase transactions within the consortium increased from 66 percent to 72 percent of applications, the report showed. While the shift from refinance to purchase transactions is still forecast to continue, it may be nearing its maximum. Purchase transactions have shown a higher risk profile than refinances due to the stronger motivations to commit fraud.

“This year’s trend continues to show an increase in mortgage fraud risk year-over-year,” said Bridget Berg, principal of CoreLogic’s fraud solutions strategy. “Because home prices are rising and demand for homes is strong, most mortgage fraud in this type of market is motivated by bona fide borrowers trying to qualify for a mortgage. Undisclosed real estate liabilities, credit repair, questionable down payment sources, and income falsification are the most likely misrepresentations.”

National Mortgage Fraud Types

Income Fraud Risk: Up 22.1 percent (Q2 2018 versus Q2 2017)
Occupancy Fraud Risk: Up 3.5 percent (Q2 2018 versus Q2 2017)
Transaction Fraud Risk: Up .6 percent (Q2 2018 versus Q2 2017)
Property Fraud Risk: Down .1 percent (Q2 2018 versus Q2 2017)
Undisclosed Real Estate Debt Fraud: Down 11.4 percent (Q2 2018 versus Q2 2017)

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