As the country’s leading independent title insurance underwriter for the independent title agent, Alliant National has a responsibility to help confront the growing threat of fraud in our industry. One way we do this is through our Crime Watch program, which incentivizes agencies to report instances of fraud that they encounter. As part of the program, firms that prevent a fraudulent transaction that was to be insured by Alliant National may be eligible to receive a reward of $1,000.
Coffelt Title – An Active Partner In Fraud Detection
Coffelt Land Title, Inc., a title insurance agency that does business throughout Missouri and Kansas, recently detected three instances of fraud, and submitted them to Alliant National for award consideration.
Jessica Wackerman, who works at Coffelt as a title searcher and examiner, noticed a potentially fraudulent transaction while examining a series of files on three properties involving one buyer. “Looking at all of them together, I noticed some issues with the deeds as far as the same formatting, the spelling of grantor and grantee names, as well as notary names,” she said. “I then did some digging and found lots of issues – such as finding death information on one individual.” After noticing this and collecting the requisite information, she quickly notified her contact at Alliant National and sent in copies of the deeds and commitments.
Taken together, these various properties represented a potential fraud amount of nearly $20,000, pointing to the importance of vigilance when it comes to detecting and reporting fraud. As Jessica explains: “Alliant National’s Crime Watch program is a great thing for the agents and underwriter. It protects everyone, but it also ensures that the agents are looking into anything that might seem a little suspicious. The incentive is a nice reward for doing the research to produce all the information.”
Of course, no single program can entirely prevent or mitigate a problem as endemic as real estate fraud, which is why agencies must take other steps to protect themselves and the customers they serve. Coffelt Title itself has taken that idea to heart, investing in staff training and education to help employees catch fraud before it is too late.
Alliant National Is Making A Difference In Fraud Prevention
“I think all title companies need to be more aware of the fraud that is happening in their markets. They should not act under the assumption that it won’t happen to them or their customers,” said Jessica when asked about fraud in the title industry.
We couldn’t agree more, which is why Alliant National launched the Crime Watch program in the first place. Over the past year, we have seen the program pay off in spades. In 2022, Alliant National agents, through this program, collectively reported to us 12 instances of attempted fraud, totaling a potential liability amount of $1.8 million. In recognition of these agent sleuths, we have issued $12,000 in awards. We’re proud of our agents’ efforts to combat this systemic problem in the industry and, as this year draws to a close, would like to thank the following Crime Watch award recipients for making title insurance a safer and more sustainable field:
Siesta Title Escrow and Services LLC | FL | Amanda Pertuch
Title Professionals of Florida (TPF) | FL | David D. Lanaux
Alliance Nationwide Title Agency, LLC | MO | Daniel Onwiler
Alliance Nationwide Title Agency, LLC | KS | Ben Chapman
Siesta Title Escrow and Services LLC | FL | Claire Hooper
Coastal Title Services | FL | Brianna Steel
Legacy Title & Escrow, LLC | FL | Kathy Morgan
Caldwell County Abstract and Title Company, LLC | MO | Megan Eitel and Amanda McGinley
Longmont, Colo. – (October 4, 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 Robert Smith as Assistant Vice President and State Agency Manager for Missouri and Kansas.
Smith is a collaborative, talented and accomplished title professional who strives to build mutually beneficial, long-term relationships. For nearly 20 years, he has been the owner and operator of a small title company in Richmond, Missouri, located outside of Kansas City. Having previously been an agent, he has an acute understanding of the obstacles agents face and the solutions that can help them achieve greater productivity.
At Alliant National, Smith will be responsible for assisting regional agents with streamlining and improving their business workflows, business planning and growth, and marketing and education. He will also actively pursue new agent relationships and meet with each active Alliant National agent within his first 90 days of employment.
“I am very excited to have this opportunity to take my career to the next level with Alliant National,” said Smith. “There is a family feel here, and that is what sets us apart from the competition. I can’t wait to work with such an amazing team. As they say, TEAM means: Together Each Achieve More!”
“Robert brings a set of unique traits that will be invaluable as our agency manager for Kansas and Missouri,” said Manoj Purohit, Senior Vice President, Central-West Region Manager for Alliant National. “Having over 25 years of industry experience, including examining title and owning a successful agency, Robert promises to be a true resource and partner to our agents. We are excited to have him join the Alliant National team.”
Smith believes strongly in giving back and is highly active in his community. He is active in various community organizations, including the Richmond Masonic Lodge No. 57 AF & AM, and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he is a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary International, which provides funding to community projects.
Outside of the office, Smith spends time with family, and enjoys boating and supporting the Kansas City Chiefs.
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.
Elgin brings fourteen years of experience in real estate law to the new position.
LONGMONT, Colo. (March 12, 2020) – Alliant National Title Insurance Company, a unique title insurance underwriter that partners with independent agents to improve their competitive position in the marketplace, announces the hiring of Kara B. Elgin, Esq., Associate Underwriting Counsel for Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska.
Elgin
brings fourteen years of experience in real estate law to the new position, and
affords Alliant National the opportunity to bring her level of expertise and commitment
to the company’s 500+ independent agents. “My previous experience in title
and real estate has been a building block for the work we’ll be doing in
Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska on behalf of Alliant National’s independent
agents,” says Elgin. “I am excited to be associated with a company with
this level of growth and stellar reputation.”
Elgin’s
duties at Alliant National include supporting independent title agents by
making sound underwriting risk decisions, providing analysis and guidance on
relevant federal and state laws, and developing and presenting educational
materials and underwriting resources.
“Kara is an asset to our Alliant
National team on many levels,” says Margaret Cook, Deputy General Counsel
and Senior Vice President of Alliant National Title Insurance Company.
“Kara’s positive attitude, experience and knowledge, coupled with her
ability to align her talents with our independent agents and their goals, helps
create continued growth for Alliant National.”
Elgin received a Bachelor of Science
from Central Missouri State University, majoring in political science, and her
Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law.
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 Agent® – 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 25 states and the District of Columbia, with annual revenues exceeding $126 million.
Hoffman brings over 25 years’ experience in all aspects of title insurance as Assistant Vice President and State Agency Manager: Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska
LONGMONT, Colo. (Feb. 10, 2020) – Alliant National Title Insurance Company, a unique title insurance underwriter that partners with independent agents to improve their competitive position in the marketplace, announces the hiring of David Hoffman as Assistant Vice President and State Agency Manager for Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.
For over 25 years, Hoffman has been a licensed title producer in Missouri and Kansas. Hoffman brings a particular passion to the new position, in part because of his decades of service, but also because of the Alliant National commitment to independent agents. “I’ve been very fortunate to work in all facets of the title business which has allowed me to provide a greater insight and understanding when working with agents,” says Hoffman.
“I am extremely proud to be associated with a company with a singular focus – the independent title agency,” he adds. “I’m passionate about the title industry and about the opportunity to make a difference. I am committed to the high Alliant National standards.”
Hoffman’s duties at Alliant National include: management and maintenance of agency network; growing the agency network; consulting with agents to provide education, marketing, sales, and strategic growth support; and representing Alliant National at industry events.
“David brings to Alliant National his commitment to our culture of helping others,” says Manoj Purohit, Alliant National Senior Vice President, Central-West Regional Manager. “His wealth of knowledge and experience, combined with his passion for the industry, makes him a perfect fit to serve our agents and ensure their continued growth and success.”
Hoffman took his B.A. from William Jewell College in public relations, advertising and applied communication. He is an avid fly fisherman, golfer and dedicated “foodie.” He has two daughters and lives in Kansas City, Mo.
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 Agent® – 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 24 states and the
District of Columbia, with annual revenues exceeding $126 million.
