The Pronghorn Press - Issue 2

2016 | ISSUE 2

The

Pronghorn Press ~ A WYOMING AGENCY NEWSLETTER ~

IS SOMEONE PRETENDING TO BE YOU AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS? By: Michele Green, SVP, Senior Business Counsel-Agency Division

We have received numerous reports from agents around the country about fraudsters impersonating our agents and attempting to steal money from unsuspecting consumers and lenders. Although you have been hearing from us on these issues for over a year now, please realize that the threats have not lessened and are not going away.

Just in the last couple of weeks: • An agent called their local First American Title office and reported, “I have a closing coming up and, like I always do, I have communicated with my client via email about how they are to provide required funds for closing. After exchanging emails, it was decided that they would bring a cashier’s check to closing. Unbeknownst to me, my clients subsequently received another email that LOOKED like an email from my office – it even had my letterhead! The email instructed my clients to wire the funds for closing to a new account and provided wire instructions. Just by chance, my clients were confused about how to complete the wire, and called my office to ask about it. Thank goodness! We quickly figured out that a fraud was being attempted and caught it before any of my clients’ funds were lost.”

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In This Issue

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Is Someone Pretending To Be You And Communicating With Your Customers?

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Training Tips to Help Employees Spot Fraudulent Emails

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AgentNet® Underwriting Request Feature

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History of the First American Eagle Logo

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Wyoming Agency Team Contact List

The First American Title Wyoming Agency team wishes you a safe and happy

• Another First American Title agent called her local office in a complete panic – she received a call on a Monday from the bank that holds her escrow account letting her know that it was overdrawn. The last week had been a busy one, but the agent was sure that all had gone smoothly.

After going over her account records, she realized that one of the lender Continued on next page The information contained in this document was prepared by First American Title Insurance Company (“FATICO”) for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. FATICO is not a law firm and this information is not intended to be legal advice. Readers should not act upon this without seeking advice from professional advisers. First American Title Insurance Company makes no express or implied warranty respecting the information presented and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. First American, the eagle logo, First American Title, and firstam.com are registered trademarks or trademarks of First American Financial Corporation and/or its affiliates.

AMD: 06/2016

©2016 First American Financial Corporation and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. NYSE: FAF

IS SOMEONE PRETENDING TO BE YOU AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS? CONT.

funding wires from one of the closings conducted last week never made it into her account. When she contacted her lender client, she was told the lender had received “her” email notifying the lender of a change in wire instructions for her escrow account. She hadn’t sent any such email, and in the flurry of closings during a busy week, she hadn’t verified the receipt of each and every wire, especially since this lender had emailed her indicating that the wire had been sent.

In both cases, cyber criminals hacked into an email account of one of the parties to the transaction and monitored email traffic about the closing. At the right time, the fraudsters created “spoof” emails that appeared to be from the agent, and had communicated with clients and customers in order to misdirect closing funds. How can you protect yourself and your clients? One way that we know can help: CONSIDER HOW YOU PROVIDE YOUR WIRING INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS! Across the country, many of our agents have decided to provide wire instructions via hard copy only – and with a notation on that hard copy that states essentially “If you receive an email or any other communication that appears to be from my office and that contains new, revised or altered bank wire instructions, consider it suspect and call our office at a number you trust. It is extremely unlikely that our bank wire instructions will change.” No matter how you get the message across to your clients, let them understand that if anyone tells them how or where to send their money, those instructions need to be confirmed by a phone call to your known phone number – NOT by email.

Training Tips to Help Employees Spot Fraudulent Emails There are many steps title and settlement companies can take to thwart email schemes and potential account takeovers.

To help prevent a business email compromise in particular, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, encourages companies to train employees to identify suspicious emails that could indicate the email is from a hacked or spoofed account.

Title and settlement companies can combat account takeover attempts by enhancing authentication and payment controls as well as implementing automated fraud monitoring systems, PricewaterhouseCoopers said in a report.

Tips to Train Employees • Carefully review email headers, domain names in the “from” field of the email, and the “reply-to” field of emails. For more suspicious emails, employers should review email headers using analyzer software.

• Scrutinize links contained within emails by hovering over the link with the cursor to expose the associated web address. If a suspicious address is revealed, further authentication must be conducted.

• Spot behavioral anomalies in payment requests received via email. These anomalies include requests received at odd hours, payments requested to an unusual person, international wires or unusual payment amounts. Many financial services firms are implementing additional controls—such as telephone call backs—to confirm authenticity of higher-risk transactions.

PricewaterhouseCoopers also advises that companies test employees by simulating business email takeover and phishing attacks, and adjust training programs to address identified weaknesses.

First American Title | The Pronghorn Press | 2016 - Edition 2

Reprinted with permission of the American Land Title Association.

Copyright © 2004-2016 American Land Title Association. All rights reserved.

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AgentNet® Underwriting Request Feature Utilizing the Underwriting Request feature in AgentNet enables agents to simplify processes and streamline communication by submitting Over Underwriting Limit, Special Pricing, Mechanics’ Lien Risk and other unusual risks directly from AgentNet.

Simplify Processes • Electronically submit requests for underwriting authorization and approval that are currently requested via phone, email or fax • Complete necessary forms, upload documents and provide transaction-specific details with your request

Streamline Communication • Ability to select your preferred underwriter and collaborate directly from your AgentNet file • View all data exchange and determinations stored in the file • Receive secure, encrypted email notifications regarding status of request

TO VIEW TRAINING VIDEOS AND GUIDES

Log in to AgentNet > Access the User Guides tab > Select MyFiles–Underwriting Requests

First American Title | The Pronghorn Press | 2016 - Edition 2

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HISTORY OF THE FIRST AMERICAN EAGLE LOGO A Symbol of Service Selection of an insignia to symbolize the spirit of First American was a key element in our Company’s growth.

The choice of an eagle, noted for its strength, size, and keenness of vision, was only the first step. Many other businesses also had an eagle emblem. First American’s symbol, representing a dynamic company tracing its origin to 1889, needed to be distinctive. Dozens of sketches were prepared by artist Robert Hill. Some were traditional, others were more modern. After narrowing the flock to half a dozen possible designs, the decision was made. “This one looks like it’s ready to take off—like it’s going places,” commented one staff member.

our Company’s offerings—the security, knowledge, and protection they provide.

The wingspan of First American’s corporate eagle is unlimited—now covering the entire nation and other parts of the world. Like the eagle, First American will meet and master the changes and challenges of tomorrow as we have met and mastered the changes and challenges of the past.

To soar with eagles is to fly high, rising above the ordinary and surging beyond—reaching heights few others attain. At First American, that is our style and our goal.

The symbolism behind the chosen logo was also significant.

The eagle denotes power, security, and vision. Beneath it, the olive branches symbolize care, understanding, and reason. The arching of the First American name above the eagle signifies protection. These qualities represent not only First American’s business principles, but also

The First American Title Wyoming Agency team is here to help you soar!

Amie Voss

Robert “Bob” Rice, Esq.

Bill Boyles

VP, Colorado and Wyoming Agency State Manager D: 303.305.3358 | C: 303.304.4397 abvoss@firstam.com 600 South Cherry Street, Suite 715 Glendale, CO 80246

VP, Regional Underwriting Counsel D: 208.321.5180 | C: 208.841.3082 rrice@firstam.com 3540 East Longwing Lane, Suite 250 Meridian, ID 83646

State Underwriter - Wyoming D: 307.577.9821 | C: 307.871.2638 bboyles@firstam.com 120 North Center Street Casper, WY 82601

First American Title | The Pronghorn Press | 2016 - Edition 2

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