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Information Security

FBI Cites - “UNPRECEDENTED INCREASE IN CYBER ATTACKS & MALICIOUS CYBER ACTIVITY” *

Our Industry Is Under Attack - Take Action Now

*Source:  Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Report 2021 https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf


Be Cyber Smart!

Be Cyber Smart! 

Check these tips daily to learn how to protect your information, avoid wire fraud and more.


View Cyber Security Tips


8 Cybersecurity Commandments

Be Smart. Be Safe. Be Cyber-Secure!

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8 Cybersecurity Commandments (.pdf)


How to Report Cyber Fraud

If you feel that your business or information may be compromised through a cyber attack:

  • Immediately inform the sender bank – contact the Chief of Security and ask for a recall of the wire.

  • Immediately inform the receiving bank.

  • Immediately contact the nearest U.S. Secret Service field office.

    • Miami Field Office: (305) 863-5000

    • Orlando Field Office: (407) 648-6333

    • Jacksonville Field Office: (904) 296-0133

    • Tampa Field Office: (813) 228-2636

  • All suspected cases of cyber fraud can be reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. If the cyber fraud involved a wire transfer, report to bec.ic3.gov. Note: These websites merely collect data. Do not expect to receive a response from the authorities.


 

On-Demand Webinars

Video - Spot the Fraud - Purchase Now

Real estate professionals have among their fiduciary duties the ethical obligation to review transaction documents, mortgage payoff statements (estoppel letters) and all forms of photo identification to ensure their legitimacy and authenticity. This one-hour course...


Video - Top 10 Tips to Discover Mortgage Payoff Fraud - Purchase Now

This webinar examines escrow agency in various contexts, considers the unique ethical obligations imposed on the escrow agent, and reviews escrow disputes and resolution techniques.


Video - Vulnerabilities: The Food that Hackers Eat - Purchase Now

This webinar will discuss the importance of vulnerability management Hear about ransomware trends, the threat actors who perpetrate criminal activities and tips to protect yourself.


 

On-Demand Training Library Webinars

Video – Avoiding Mortgage Payoff Fraud - Watch Now

Real estate practitioners face pronounced dangers due to cybercrime. FBI statistics reveal Florida among those states with the highest rate of cyber victims and dollars lost. Business email compromise (BEC) combined with devilishly clever social engineering feats...


Video – Cyber Insurance for the Closing Agent: A Roundtable Discussion with Industry Experts - Watch Now

The Fund welcomes Brian Kouwenhoven of Kouwenhoven & Associates, Inc. and Cynthia Zimmerman of Socius Insurance Services for a roundtable discussion on the various insurance products available to law firms and title agencies to protect against business email...


Video – An Insider's Look at Cyber Security Cases - Watch Now

The Fund’s Legal Education Department is pleased to welcome Joseph Swanson, a shareholder of the Tampa office of Carlton Fields, An Insider’s Look at Cyber Security Cases. A large portion of Mr. Swanson’s practice...


Video – What?! We’ve Been Phished! – An Online Tabletop Exercise - Watch Now

Join us as we depict a fictional firm’s reaction to learning that it’s fallen victim to an elaborate wire transfer fraud. At crucial points in the firm’s odyssey, we stop and consider the firm’s actions – and inactions - in view of the...


Video – Third-Party Security Vetting for Law Firms - Watch Now

Join Ron Frechette, CEO of GoldSky Security for a FREE webinar, Third-Party Security Vetting for Law Firms. Ron wowed the crowd at Fund Assembly with his Dark Web presentation and is back to introduce Fund members to the...


Video – Computer Security in the Age of Cyber-Crime - Watch Now

Join Darrell Marsh, The Fund's Computer Security Manager, Information Technology, as he presents Computer Security in the Age of Cyber-Crime.  This program focuses on the various types of computer security that Fund members and their...


Video – A Fund Roundtable: Cyber-Hygiene Tips You Need to Adopt Today - Watch Now

Join the attorneys of The Fund's Legal Education Department as we present A Fund Roundtable: Cyber-Hygiene Tips You Need to Adopt Today.  We will share practical tips that law firms and title agencies can adopt to mitigate against cyber...


Video – Insuring Against Mortgage Payoff Fraud, Business Email Compromise Fraud & Other Social Engineering Fraud - Watch Now

Real estate settlement providers are now the #1 target of cyber fraudsters and the types of frauds are ever evolving. Mortgage payoff frauds now joins the list of business email compromise and other social engineering frauds affecting closing agents. This webinar...


Video – Protecting Yourself Against Wire Fraud - Watch Now

Day of closing. Updated payoff  letter received and your bookkeeper has loaded the wire for you to release. Before you hit the “Send” button, are you absolutely certain that the wiring instruction relied upon is authentic? Are there ways to tell? How...


Information Security Questions

Email questions to legaled@thefund.com. If your question can help others, we'll add it to our information security FAQs page.

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News & Alerts

Be Wary, Be Diligent - Notary Fraud List 2023

Be Wary, Be Diligent - Notary Fraud List 2023
05/26/2023

List of notaries used in recent fraud claims that are BOGUS and you should not accept.

Read More »


ALTA’s Tips for Seller Impersonation Fraud

ALTA’s Tips for Seller Impersonation Fraud
05/11/2023

FRAUDSTERS are impersonating property owners to illegally sell commercial or residential property. Sophisticated...

Read More »


Amendment No. 1 to CS/HB 1419 - Title Fraud Filed

Amendment No. 1 to CS/HB 1419 - Title Fraud Filed
05/01/2023

There is a bill pending in the Florida legislature establishing a pilot project in the Lee County Clerk's office...

Read More »


FLTA's Cybersecurity Best Practices

FLTA's Cybersecurity Best Practices
03/08/2023

Create a cyber security plan – it all starts with: Setup, Train, Obtain and Plan – in essence, the word: STOP.

Read More »



Alert: Vacant Lot Scams – Beware of Notarizations Taken Abroad

Alert: Vacant Lot Scams – Beware of Notarizations Taken Abroad
08/15/2022

Previous alerts on this issue have been sent in 2009, 2010, 2018 and 2022. On April 12, 2022, The...

Read More »



Avoiding Fraudulent Transactions: A Guide For Fund Members
06/30/2022

By Scott D. Jackson, Fund Underwriting Counsel

Read More »


Wire Fraud & Fraudulent Mortgage Payoffs - Our Newest Pandemic!
05/13/2022

Dear Members,This is a special, one issue message. ...

Read More »


Alert - Scam Involving Sale of Vacant Lots – it is still with us!

Alert - Scam Involving Sale of Vacant Lots – it is still with us!
04/12/2022

Alerts about this scam have been sent to Fund Members in 2009, 2010 and 2018.  This scam has not gone away...

Read More »

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