I recently met with the owner of a large real estate brokerage to discuss the scope and value of offensive security services. It was a great meeting and I thought they really understood the importance of protecting their network and digital assets. As we were wrapping up, they remarked “I don’t think we need anything … Continue reading Securing Your Company’s Cyber Security
Securing Office 365 Email
Microsoft Office 365 is a great product that many title agents are using. Depending on the license purchased agents have access to email, encrypted email, free office software, one drive, file sharing, and many other features. However, as with most technology there are security risks introduced by using Office 365 for email. Many of the security features … Continue reading Securing Office 365 Email
VLTA’s Technology Committee: A Look Inside with Chair, Melissa Ellis
What do you see as the purpose of the Technology Committee? Do you think the Technology Committee’s role has changed given this particular time in our history? The purpose of the VLTA technology committee is to draw from experts in the technology industry to provide valuable information and resources as well as provide education to … Continue reading VLTA’s Technology Committee: A Look Inside with Chair, Melissa Ellis
NAIC Data Security Model Law
In October 2017, the NAIC adopted the Insurance Data Security Model Law. The purpose and intent of this Act is to establish standards for data security and standards for the investigation of and notification to the Commissioner of a Cybersecurity Event applicable to Licensees. A licensee is defined as a person or entity licensed, authorized … Continue reading NAIC Data Security Model Law
What to do if you receive a phishing email whether it results in a financial loss or not?
We all know that the title industry is under attack and phishing emails are on the rise becoming more sophisticated. It is every agent’s worst nightmare to think they may fall victim to a phishing email and suffer a financial loss. It is important to be prepared with the information beforehand on what steps you … Continue reading What to do if you receive a phishing email whether it results in a financial loss or not?
Straight Talk Title: Email & Wire Fraud Do’s and Don’ts
I know you’ve heard all about it, but has it happened to you? If so you know exactly what I’m talking about. When I tell you, this is the scariest thing I’ve ever seen in our business, I mean I worry everyday about the hidden hack. We can’t see where it's coming from or what's happening … Continue reading Straight Talk Title: Email & Wire Fraud Do’s and Don’ts
Email and Diverted Wire Transfers
Let the Sender Be Frustrated. Actually, get frustrated now. This is the most frustrating article you will read in the next several months, I hope... The title and escrow industry has been alarmed by the increase in clever wire fraud schemes. However, the exposure is not limited to closings in which fraudulent wiring instructions can get … Continue reading Email and Diverted Wire Transfers
Cyber Insurance Is The Answer
Virginia is an industry leader in the development of legislation regarding e-closings and remote notarizations. Virginia is only one of two states in the country (the other being Montana) that has allowed for online notary e-closings. While we wait for lawmakers in the rest of the country to catch up, Virginia Land Title professionals must … Continue reading Cyber Insurance Is The Answer
What To Do If You’re a Wire Fraud Victim
Republished from FBI instructions November 2, 2017 The number of wire fraud scams reported by title companies to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) spiked 480 percent in 2016, according to a warning issued to businesses by the FBI. If funds are transferred to a fraudulent account, it is important to act quickly: Contact the financial institution … Continue reading What To Do If You’re a Wire Fraud Victim
Tales from the Table: Part 2, Email Scams
This is a follow-up to the piece I wrote last summer about the email scam in which the scammer tries to steal from the title company escrow account by posing as a home purchaser whose deal falls through. As a reminder, the scam works like this: The title agent receives what purports to be a … Continue reading Tales from the Table: Part 2, Email Scams
Tales from the Table: Email Scams
Often, the stories we remember and share with our friends and colleagues are the funny ones, or the ones that defy belief. Those can be fun and entertaining and we can often learn from them. Usually however, they are not things that can potentially alter our businesses or your careers. I received an email the … Continue reading Tales from the Table: Email Scams