As we progress through 2026, AI has found its place in real estate. Over the past couple of years, the idea of artificial intelligence rapidly transitioned from science fiction to reality. In our industry, AI is actively reshaping how property rights are protected. Moreover, it’s impacting how title issues are resolved. Even with this in mind, title insurance professionals owe a responsibility to their clientele to safeguard sensitive data before, during, and after the real estate closing process.

Seller impersonation fraud has rapidly become one of the most alarming forms of real estate crime in the United States, targeting both commercial and residential property transactions. The practice generally involves a criminal posing as a legitimate property owner, using falsified identification documents and forged credentials to illegally transfer ownership to unsuspecting buyers. Ultimately, fraudsters steal the sale proceeds, leaving both the buyer and the rightful owner in legal and financial chaos. These schemes often involve “impersonating the actual owner and recording fake or forged documents in local land records,” resulting in equity loss, property theft, and costly litigation for victims.