March 4, 2024

APPLIES TO: AGENTS IN ALL REGIONS


ALERT: Real Estate Agents Are Being Phished with Fake CertifID Communications

Advocus partners with CertifID to protect customer funds and information during the course of real estate transactions. The CertifID system eliminates the risk of wire fraud by providing a secure way to send wire instructions (never via email) and authenticate identity.


CertifID CEO Tyler Adams recently notified customers that real estate agents are being phished with fake CertifID communications. 


If this scam impacts anyone in your network, please Contact CertifID.

Summary from CertifID CEO, Tyler Adams


Adams provided this information about what the phishing scam might look like:


  • An "investor" approaches a real estate agent stating that they require the use of CertifID to verify a transaction.


  • The "investor" sends the real estate agent a link to a website with [fake] CertifID messaging, asking them to log in using their Instagram account.


Asking to log into Instagram is something CertifID would never require. However, an unsuspecting real estate agent might fall for this and give up their credentials, which could compromise them.  


CertifID Asks Customers to Alert Employees and Transaction Partners


  • CertifID never asks for Instagram credentials. 



We are not aware of any of the victims getting further targeted with account takeover, ransomware, or impersonation fraud. However, the situation is evolving, and being proactive in education can help mitigate the risks. 

 

Questions? Please contact CertifID using the link above.


We appreciate your awareness on this issue and hope no one in your network is affected. As always, we thank you for your business.

Advocus National Title Insurance Company (formerly Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. or ATG) and Advocus University provide real estate and related services for attorney agents and their clients.


Learn more at www.advocus.com, or contact us 800.252.0402.

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