For over 15 years, multi-factor authentication (MFA) has played a critical role in how businesses operate securely online. The rise of cloud computing, social media, and mobile apps has made MFA essential for many companies—particularly in regulated industries. However, despite its importance, many users find MFA cumbersome due to its reliance on SMS text or authentication apps.
The good news is that significant changes are coming to the MFA landscape. Let’s explore the latest trends for 2025 and beyond, showing you how to leverage these advancements to maximize security while minimizing inconvenience.
Why you should keep up with the MFA evolution
When it comes to cybersecurity, the threat landscape is ever changing. MFA practices continue to evolve as well. Agencies that evolve along with this technology in 2025 will be able to reap the full benefits of advances like biometrics, adaptive MFA and continuous authentication. Let’s look at each one-by-one.
Believe in biometrics
Arguably, the biggest shift coming down the MFA pike is the rise of biometrics. Biometrics is already a big part of many applications. Anytime fingerprints are used to log in, for example, biometrics is at work. Look for these services to proliferate more quickly, and eventually include vocal and behavioral verification capabilities. Title companies can leverage advanced biometrics to improve security and convenience for their teams and customers. These services offer unique layers of protection without the hassles of managing multiple passwords.
Adaptive MFA is advancing
Another development for agencies to watch out for is adaptive MFA. Today’s MFA requires repeated verification, sometimes as often as during every login. Adaptive MFA streamlines this by analyzing the context. It prompts additional verification only when warranted—such as when a change is detected in a login’s location or device. By reducing unnecessary prompts without compromising security, title agencies can offer a smoother, more user-friendly experience.
Continuous authentication is coming
Perhaps one of the most exciting MFA developments that has a clear applicability for title agencies is continuous authentication. Continuous authentication is closely related to adaptive verification. It takes it one step further, however, by working in the background and constantly assessing factors like typing patterns, device usage and location. This allows it to confirm the user’s identity throughout a given session and detect anomalies in real time. Title agencies can use this technology to improve verification and security experiences.
Protecting transactions
In an age of endless cyber threats, adopting the latest MFA technology is critical for agencies seeking the right balance between security and convenience. In addition to MFA, agents need effective solutions to address fraud risks within transactions. Alliant National’s new identity verification and fraud prevention tool, SecureMyTransaction, for instance, provides validation of identity instruments, as well as bank account and business information, helping to move transactions forward with confidence. Title professionals also benefit from detailed audit trails, simplifying compliance and providing added peace of mind.
Achieve reliable and convenient MFA security MFA technology is an effective, albeit inconvenient, security technology. In an era of remote work and complex technology like cloud networks, it will remain an important part of agencies’ security stacks. The encouraging news is that we are on the cusp of new MFA developments that will ensure better security and improved customer experiences. In the end, that will enable the type of smooth, swift transactions that both customers and agents appreciate.
In the title industry, few transactions raise eyebrows faster than vacant land. These deals are highly susceptible to fraud, which made Manatee Title Closing Officer Nikki Vantilburg understandably cautious when a recent vacant land transaction landed on her desk. Noticing obvious warning signs about the transaction right off the bat, Nikki decided to investigate further and deploy Alliant National’s new fraud detection tool, SecureMyTransaction, as an additional safeguard. By taking these steps, she confirmed her suspicions, prevented loss and ended up being recognized by Alliant National’s crime watch program. Her example shows how combining human tenacity with technology leads to safer, more successful transactions.
A common problem
Vacant land transactions are far from uncommon in the title industry. “We get a lot of them in Citrus County,” said Vantilburg. But familiar never means free from risk. Title professionals must often apply greater scrutiny to vacant land deals than they might to other transaction types, as they often have characteristics that make them targets for fraudsters, like:
Absentee owners
Dense ownership histories
Complex zoning requirements; and
Lack of a clear title
As an experienced agent, Vantilburg is well-versed in the risks involved with processing vacant land transactions. That’s why she took particular care when examining a recent vacant lot transaction that was located not far from Manatee Title’s Florida offices.
Checking and double checking the data
The first thing Vantilburg did after opening her investigation was to double check the transaction’s information by utilizing tools and information provided by Alliant National. “We had gotten some literature and tips from Alliant National a while back, [saying to] check if there’s a [listing] agent involved and see [if] they have met the seller in person,” said Vantilburg. Connecting with the agent did little to allay her concerns, however, as they had never met the purported seller. Further digging yielded fresh red flags. These included tax documents that showed that the seller’s location was in Ontario and an ID with inconsistent fonts throughout the document.
Multiple layers of proof
Reviewing these warning signs, the Manatee Title team concluded that they likely could not move forward, and instead, would work to establish “multiple layers of proof” that the transaction was indeed fraudulent. To accomplish this, Vantilburg turned to Alliant National’s new fraud prevention and identity verification tool, SecureMyTransaction. She quickly set up the file and sent out the link to the “seller.”
“I didn’t hear anything for over 24 hours,” she said. “He then finally answers me and says, ‘You know, well, I’ve had a security compromise with my computer. So unfortunately, I can’t click on any links because it crashed my computer.’ He then sent me the same ID that he had sent to the listing agent – you know, the fake ID.”
The final straw
After taking all these steps, Vantilburg had a final card to play to establish that the transaction was fraudulent. During her initial research before deploying SecureMyTransaction, she found the obituary of the seller’s wife, which listed that she had been deceased since 2017. After the “seller” refused to engage with SecureMyTransaction and offered to send his ID instead, Vantilburg casually asked him if he and his wife would be signing the transaction documents together. He responded that they would – proving that he was a fraudster operating in bad faith. This was all Vantilburg needed to conclude her investigation, deem the transaction fraudulent and notify relevant parties.
Using all available means to defeat fraudsters
Manatee Title’s handling of this transaction serves as an informative blueprint for responding to endemic fraud within the title industry. Vantilburg’s savvy research skills provided evidence that the transaction was likely illegitimate. The seller’s unwillingness to cooperate with the agency’s fraud detection tool furthered these suspicions.
All in all, the experience showed how combining technology and old-fashioned human tenacity is a formidable way to beat fraudsters at their own game. Reflecting, Vantilburg echoed these sentiments: “Make sure the person you’re working with is doing what they are supposed to be doing. And sign up for SecureMyTransaction. If they aren’t willing to cooperate with the tool and with your efforts to secure the process, that’s a pretty big indication that there might be a problem.”
Navigating the complexities of our industry is indeed challenging, and it humbles me when independent agents confide in our team, sharing their concerns and ideas. One recurring issue you’ve brought to light centers around identity verification and the inherent risks involved in this key element of the transaction. I am delighted to announce that Alliant National has collaborated with Finigree, a leader in financial and payment technology solutions, and developed a robust identity verification system – SecureMyTransaction.
SecureMyTransaction is designed to equip you with the information you need about both buyers and sellers to advance your transactions with confidence. The technology applies a multi-factor identity verification process that cross-checks mobile device ownership and location, credit bureau information, bank account validation and ownership, payoff and proceeds verification, knowledge-based authentication, FinCEN and OFAC searches, along with Alliant National Underwriting Alerts.
With verified identity information at your fingertips, you’re empowered to protect against seller impersonation fraud, vacant property fraud, and deed and document forgeries. Scams like these can have profound consequences, including financial loss, reputational harm and regulatory sanctions. SecureMyTransaction is thoughtfully designed to help you mitigate these risks.
This solution – which is initially being offered exclusively to Alliant National agents nationwide – will be unveiled tomorrow at our annual Florida Seminar in Orlando. For those attending, we look forward to presenting this new tool to you and hearing your initial thoughts.
For those who will not be with us in Orlando, I hope you will take the opportunity to learn more about this solution built specifically for independent title professionals like you. You can visit SecureMyTransaction.com for details, or reach out to Alliant National’s Bob Grohol (BGrohol@AlliantNational.com, 440.228.0826) to schedule a demo.
As you familiarize yourself with this new tool, whether at the seminar or from afar, I invite you to share your thoughts and feedback. We have developed this system with you in mind, and your insights are invaluable to us. Please feel free to reach out to me, to Bob, or to any member of your Alliant National team.
