As part of its mission to provide valuable help to title industry stakeholders, Alliant National has launched a program incentivizing agencies to report any suspected instances of fraud. Firms that do so are eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.
Since its inception, the program has proven to be a model for how underwriters and agencies can work together to prevent financial malfeasance within the industry and help lower premiums. In the past year alone, Alliant National and its agents have successfully averted over $1.8 million in liability costs.
Those results carried over into 2023 with yet another successful example of how fraud can be effectively detected and prevented when different stakeholders work together proactively and in tandem. Marion Lake Sumter Title, an agency based out of Ocala, Fla., recently noticed a potentially fraudulent transaction regarding a roughly half acre plot of vacant land valued at $20,000. As per the agency’s protocol, Marion Lake contacted the seller about the sale and instructed them to call their office if anything was amiss and if they were not, in fact, selling the property. The agency’s suspicions turned out to be correct, as the owner called back immediately, provided two valid forms of photographic identification and scheduled a video conference call to discuss the matter. Conversely, the fraudulent seller was asked for the same items and never responded.
“As soon as we received a call from the real seller, we notified our underwriter as well as both real estate agents on the transaction,” said Heather Pierport, Manager, Licensed Escrow Agent and Post Closer at Marion Lake Sumter Title, who initially identified the suspicious transaction. When asked about why fraud detection and prevention programs are important, she said, “These types of transactions are emotionally draining and can put agents in a depressive state. Programs like Alliant National’s help keep morale up when dealing with fraudsters.”
“Heather has been instrumental in keeping our underwriting team updated on both the fraudulent seller schemes and fraudulent checks they have encountered. I wish we could clone them!” said Lisa Yates, AVP, Agent Training Manager, Fla., for Alliant National, when discussing the incident.
Lisa then addressed Marion Lake Sumter’s anti-fraud efforts more broadly: “The way they strive for attention to detail and research each order is such a benefit to customers, underwriters and the title industry as a whole. Heather and her team have the best ‘trust your gut’ reactions to questionable transactions. As fraud continues to plague our industry, it is very important to double-check transaction details to make sure they all match-up.”
For her part, Heather concurred with how important it is to catch fraud before it occurs for the larger title insurance industry, taking the time to explain how continuing education and digital solutions have also made a positive difference: “We are constantly learning about the latest fraud trends. We also use Positive Pay to catch fraudulent checks that may try to post to our escrow account. This November, for example, we had almost $90,000 in fraudulent checks try to come through our account. With Positive Pay, I rejected those items, and we never lost any funds. I truly believe that solution should be a requirement for every escrow account.”
Longmont, Colo. – (May 09, 2022) – Alliant National Title Insurance Company, the title insurer that is uniquely responsive to the needs of independent agents, announces the hiring of Justin Tate-Johnson as National Production Manager.
Tate-Johnson is a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in real estate, title insurance, closings and escrow. He has spent years working in title search and examination in both agency and underwriter roles and has led production and technology teams to develop unique, agent-focused solutions.
At Alliant National, Tate-Johnson will focus on implementing a nationwide title production solution that will connect agents with fast, reliable title abstracts and commitments to help streamline their processes and develop new efficiencies. He looks forward to helping the title insurance industry accelerate its technology adoption and digital transformation. He is also passionate about helping agents go from contract to close as effectively as possible and enjoys assisting them in solving or avoiding problems.
“Alliant National checks all the boxes of what I was looking for. With its underwriting capabilities and positive, tech-driven culture, Alliant National has developed a powerful reputation as a premier underwriter,” said Tate-Johnson. “I am thrilled to join a customer-focused company that never competes against agents, not to mention work with such an amazing team. I am looking forward to watching Alliant National grow its market share to ensure the independent agent wins.”
“Having Justin join our team is a huge achievement for Alliant National,” said Debra Coffie, SVP, Florida Regional Manager. “He is a true industry talent, with knowledge and experience that is deeply impressive. With his forward-thinking mindset, technical acumen and diverse skillsets, there is no doubt that Justin will play an important role in not only our current operations but our future growth.”
“Alliant National is committed to continually innovating processes and operations to deliver maximum benefit to our agents,” said David Sinclair, President and CEO of Alliant National. “By bringing Justin on board, we are better positioned than ever to align the various technology solutions used by our agents and quickly deliver scalable, integrated title production.”
Tate-Johnson is also a licensed Florida title agent. He lives in the Fort Lauderdale area with his wife and child.
Alliant National supports its independent agents by combining expert residential and commercial underwriting with a passionate heart for service. The company delivers uncommon help that promotes the wellbeing of agents and the communities they serve.
Cathie Beck Capital City Public Relations e: cathie@capitalcitypr.com p: 303-241-0805
ABOUT ALLIANT NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY
Alliant National is on a mission to empower independent agents while protecting property owners with secure title insurance. The company partners with its agents and never competes against them with direct or affiliate operations. Alliant National serves thousands of title professionals as a licensed underwriter in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
Longmont, Colo. – (October 27, 2021) – Alliant National Title Insurance Company, a unique title insurance underwriter that partners with independent agents to improve their competitive position, announces the hiring of Perry Craver as Florida Underwriting Counsel.
A seasoned and knowledgeable professional, Craver brings over 25 years of experience in the title insurance industry – having worked on both the underwriter and agent sides of the profession. Well-versed in title production, production management, agency management, underwriting and claims, Craver is a proactive problem solver and takes pride in getting transactions closed as planned and on schedule.
At Alliant National, Craver will be busy as part of the Florida regional team. He will be primarily focused on working with Alliant National agents, its searchers and other title professionals on how best to insure real estate transactions. He is looking forward to getting to know the company’s Florida-based agents and supporting them through their title challenges so they can close transactions quickly and smoothly.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the Alliant National team,” said Craver. “My co-workers and managers are some of the most talented, hard-working and dedicated individuals you will find in the industry, and I am truly honored to be working alongside them. Drawing upon my diverse title background and experiences, I am looking forward to doing my part to ensure that Alliant National continues to be Florida’s premier agent-focused title underwriter.”
“Perry is an incredible underwriter and title professional who brings a seasoned outlook, deep industry knowledge and an amazing passion for all things title,” said Brenda Cannon, Alliant National’s Regional Counsel Florida and Senior Vice President. “With over 25 years of experience under his belt, he will be a great addition to the Alliant National team in Florida.”
Craver received his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University – Shepard Broad Law Center. He previously obtained his B.S. in political science from North Carolina State University. A member of the Florida Bar, Craver is a licensed title agent in 25+ states, including Florida. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Jacksonville, Florida.
Alliant National distinguishes itself from competitors by combining strong underwriting capability with independent agents’ in-depth knowledge of local markets. The result is a nationwide network with deep roots in local communities, and a wealth of expertise that is flexible, nuanced and continuously growing.
Cathie Beck Capital City Public Relations e: cathie@capitalcitypr.com p: 303-241-0805
ABOUT ALLIANT NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY
The Independent Underwriter for The Independent AgentSM – Alliant National believes in empowering people to thrive.
The company protects the dreams of property owners with secure title insurance and partners with 600+ trusted independent title agents as a licensed underwriter in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
Longmont, Colo. – (May 6, 2021) – Alliant National Title Insurance Company, a unique title insurance underwriter that partners with independent agents to improve their competitive position, announces the promotion of Donna More, Senior Underwriting Counsel, to the position of Vice President – Florida.
More is a highly skilled and knowledgeable attorney who has been practicing law since 1985 and is licensed in the states of Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. During her career, she has worked on the agency side of the industry, as well as in private practice.
More is certified in real estate by the Florida Bar, and is active in several committees in the Florida Bar Real Property and Probate Law Section. She is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-accredited professional, having received the certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
In her new role with Alliant National, More will continue providing leadership within Alliant National’s Florida underwriting department and supporting the organization’s overall operations within the region.
“It is an incredible honor to accept additional leadership responsibilities with Alliant National,” said More. “I love our Florida-based team, and it is a great joy in my life to work for an organization committed to the success of the independent agent and, by extension, the success of individuals, families and communities across the country.”
“Donna is an incredibly knowledgeable, deeply experienced and exceptionally responsive underwriter,” said Margaret Cook, EVP, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of Alliant National. “She is wickedly smart, conscientious, humble and kind. Donna is a valuable part of our legal team and our Florida operations, and she has earned this well-deserved recognition for her contributions to our agents’ and the company’s success.”
Alliant National distinguishes itself from competitors by combining strong underwriting capability with independent agents’ in-depth knowledge of local markets. The result is a nationwide network with deep roots in local communities, and a wealth of expertise that is flexible, nuanced, and continuously growing.
Cathie Beck Capital City Public Relation e: cathie@capitalcitypr.com p: 303-241-0805
ABOUT ALLIANT NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY
The Independent Underwriter for The Independent AgentSM – Alliant National believes in empowering people to thrive. The company protects the dreams of property owners with secure title insurance and partners with 500+ trusted independent title agents as a licensed underwriter in 27 states and the District of Columbia.
Longmont, Colo. – (April 08, 2021) – Alliant National Title Insurance Company, a unique title insurance underwriter that partners with independent agents to improve their competitive position, announces the promotion of Brenda J. Cannon to the position of Regional Counsel Florida and Senior Vice President.
Cannon is a highly-skilled attorney with more than 26 years of experience in title insurance and 35 years in real estate. During her career, she has served as both Claims Counsel and Underwriting Counsel, analyzing risk, determining how to fix title defects, resolving claims, and managing outside counsel.
Cannon received her Juris Doctorate with Honors from the University of Florida College of Law where she was a member of the Law Review. She is an active member of the Florida Bar, the American Land Title Association, the Florida Land Title Association, and the American Bar Association. She is also Board-Certified in real estate law by the Florida Bar.
Cannon’s experience will serve her well in her new role with Alliant National, where she will continue leading and expanding Alliant National’s Florida underwriting department and working with the rest of the Florida team to support the ongoing, explosive growth of the organization in the region.
“I’m excited to continue my work leading our wonderful underwriters in the Florida-area,” said Cannon. “Alliant National is currently experiencing a period of exciting and rapid growth, and it is an honor to help our underwriting team continue to offer the best service in the industry.”
“We feel incredibly lucky to have Brenda as part of our leadership team,” said Margaret Cook, EVP, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of Alliant National. “Her deep understanding of the law, robust industry experience and natural leadership ability make her the ideal choice to lead and grow our underwriting operations in Florida.”
Alliant National distinguishes itself from competitors by combining strong underwriting capability with independent agents’ in-depth knowledge of local markets. The result is a nationwide network with deep roots in local communities, and a wealth of expertise that is flexible, nuanced, and continuously growing.
Cathie Beck Capital City Public Relation e: cathie@capitalcitypr.com p: 303-241-0805
ABOUT ALLIANT NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY
The Independent Underwriter for The Independent AgentSM – Alliant National believes in empowering people to thrive. The company protects the dreams of property owners with secure title insurance and partners with 500+ trusted independent title agents as a licensed underwriter in 27 states and the District of Columbia.
