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
  The industry's essential news magazine contains vital information and analysis for industry professionals.
- Industry News
  Twice a week, the top stories impacting the title industry.
- Legal + Regulatory Publications
  Practical legal analysis of claims and court decisions related to the title insurance industry.
- Title Protects
- Press Releases
- Consumers: What to Expect at Closing
  HomeClosing101.org
- Manage Your Subscriptions
  - Email Preferences
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.
- Title Insurance Political Action Committee (TIPAC)
  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.
- Technology
- Housing Opportunities
- Data Privacy
- Regulation
- Economy
  - 1031 Real Estate Like-kind Exchanges
  - Foreign Ownership of Land
- State Advocacy
  ALTA works closely with our state advocacy partners to promote legislation for the title industry
  - State Legislation Tracking Map
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
  - Apply for NTP Designation
  - National Title Professional Directory
- Continuing Education
  - Online Course Catalog
  - Approved Courses and States
- Training + Webinars
- My Professional Development
  - Title Producer & Attorney Credentials
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.
- Become an ALTA Member
  Gain access to valuable resources to help your company differentiate itself in the market.
  - Find or Create an ALTA Account
- My ALTA Membership
- Renew Your Membership
  You must be the primary or secondary contact for your company.
  - Renew ALTA Membership
  - Renew TIAC Membership
- Membership Types
- Dues Calculator
- Leadership + Engagement Groups
  - Leadership Resources
- Non-Member Options
  You will NOT receive member benefits.
  - Policy Forms License
  - Print Policy Forms License Certificate
- Membership Directory
  Find ALTA Members across the United States.
  - Find an ALTA Member
  - New Member List
- Membership Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions
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.
- PATRIOT Act Search
  ALTA members get access to the U.S. Treasury Blocked Persons List to search the Specially Designated Nationals List for blacklisted individuals.
- Find People + Services
  Whether you are looking for an ALTA Member to help with an issue or a vendor to automate your work flow, find them here.
- Operations
  Tools designed to help you run your business efficiently.
- Human Resources
  Go to source to help your Human Resources department.
- Industry Partners
  Meet our partners and find an Elite Provider to help drive new revenue.
- Research Initiatives & Resources
  Engage with and view the industry surveys, studies and reports curated by ALTA’s research department.
- Marketing
  ALTA provides members with tools to easily communicate the benefits of what you do.
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.
- Policy Forms
  Access to the ALTA collection of forms and related documents to ALTA Members, Licensees, and Subscribers.
- Best Practices
  Resources and tools for implementing the ALTA Best Practices standards.
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.
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.
- ALTA Branding
  In October 2023, ALTA unveiled its new brand identity—redesigned for the first time in nearly 60 years to reflect how the industry has adapted in the digital age.

Industry News

Member of Nevada City-Based Conspiracy Sentenced for Multi-million Bank and Title Fraud Scheme

September 27, 2018

Larry Allen Todt, 66, formerly of Malibu, was sentenced to over seven years in prison and ordered to pay over $3 million in restitution for his role in a fraudulent mortgage elimination scheme, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

On Dec. 6, 2017, Todt was convicted following trial on one count of conspiracy and one count of bank fraud.

According to court documents, between April 22, 2010, and Nov. 18, 2011, Todt was a member of a conspiracy that ran a mortgage elimination program purporting to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure. The conspirators fraudulently altered the chain of title on residential properties, sold the properties and received the sales proceeds.

As a requirement for participation in the “mortgage elimination program,” the conspirators enrolled homeowners as members in a Nevada City-based church named Shon-te-East-a, Walks With Spirit, or its successor entity, Pillow Foundation. The conspirators indicated to the homeowners that these entities would offer protection against the banks.

Todt ran a branch of the mortgage elimination program, recruiting homeowners into the scheme, marshalling the necessary recorded documents, and guiding the sale of the homes. Once the homeowner enrolled with Shon-te-East-a or Pillow Foundation, Todt would have a sham deed of trust created and recorded, giving the impression that the homeowner had refinanced the mortgage loan with a new lender. In reality, the new lender was a fake entity controlled by the conspirators, and the homeowner owed no money to the purported new lender.

The next step in the process was also a recorded document. The conspirators caused a fake deed of reconveyance to be recorded, giving the appearance that the true mortgage loan had been discharged and that the true lienholder no longer had a security interest in the home.

With title appearing to be clear, the conspirators caused the sale of the home with the proceeds split between the co-conspirators and the homeowners.

In total, 37 properties were sold through the Shon-te-East-a conspiracy. The conspirators recorded fraudulent documents on approximately an additional 100 homes, but were unable to sell these before the scheme unraveled.

Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org.