The Legal Description - Daily News

ALTA urges FinCEN to reform final rule during enforcement freeze

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:47:31 GMT

ALTA urges FinCEN to reform final rule during enforcement freeze - While the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s major real estate transaction reporting rule is on pause following a court vacatur order, the American Land Title Association is taking the opportunity to push for reform.

Pennsylvania AG nullifies MV Realty contracts with homeowners in settlement

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:44:48 GMT

Pennsylvania AG nullifies MV Realty contracts with homeowners in settlement - In a settlement agreement between Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and Florida-based real estate company MV Realty, the company agreed to nullify its contracts with Pennsylvania homeowners and pay restitution.

What the FinCEN district court ruling really means for the industry

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:42:27 GMT

What the FinCEN district court ruling really means for the industry - While the immediate reaction to the court ruling vacating the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s residential real estate reporting rule may have been relief, a more complicated question remains: what, exactly, changed and what didn’t?

Breach of contract dispute between developer, title agency goes to appeals court

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:34:33 GMT

Breach of contract dispute between developer, title agency goes to appeals court - An appeals court reviewed a breach of contract dispute between a real estate management company and its title insurance provider, which involved undeveloped units and reversion of title.

Virigina enacts expanded privacy protections for personal information

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:32:48 GMT

Virigina enacts expanded privacy protections for personal information - Privacy protections for personal information in Virginia got a boost on April 13, when Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a law implementing strict requirements for the collection and storage of personal information.

New York state agencies returned $237 million+ for consumers in 2025

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:30:09 GMT

New York state agencies return $237 million+ for consumers in 2025 - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on April 23 that state agencies had recovered more than $237.7 million for consumers last year, accounting for marketplace disputes, utility complaints, wage theft and more.

Texas business court dismisses two poaching suits against WFG National Title

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:03:58 GMT

Texas business court dismisses two poaching suits against WFG National Title - Two Texas-based title companies are closing the books on their individual lawsuits accusing WFG National Title Co. of Texas of poaching, following a decision by the Business Court of Texas, Fourth Division in San Antonio that dismissed both cases with prejudice.

MV Realty agrees to void homeowner contracts in settlement with Nevada AG

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:01:29 GMT

MV Realty agrees to void homeowner contracts in settlement with Nevada AG - Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and state regulators announced an agreement with MV Realty that would void the real estate company’s predatory contracts and cease all collection efforts in the state, among other corrective actions.

Nebraska enacts law to oppose foreign data collection via money transmitters

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:58:44 GMT

Nebraska enacts law to oppose foreign data collection via money transmitters - In a new bill signed into law on April 14, Nebraska legislators have implemented new guardrails on money transmission services that can be used by foreign adversaries to collect data on American citizens.

FinCEN reviews regulatory savings, other achievements in 2025

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:57:09 GMT

FinCEN reviews regulatory savings, other achievements in 2025 - Throughout 2025, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network leveraged its tools to uphold national security and protect the livelihoods of the American people, including returning $991 million to fraud victims.

California considers major reform of intervenor system, rate review process

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:55:28 GMT

California considers major reform of intervenor system, rate review process - The California Department of Insurance has submitted its Intervenor and Administrative Hearing Bureau Fairness and Accountability rulemaking package for final review, with a goal of strengthening transparency, improving efficiency and protecting consumer funds in the insurance rate review process.

Property Protection Scorecard highlights need for state-level deed fraud safeguards

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:53:16 GMT

Property Protection Scorecard highlights need for state-level deed fraud safeguards - Real estate fraud prevention service provider EquityProtect has launched the Property Protection Scorecard, a quarterly report that monitors deed theft and title fraud legislation across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Fidelity appeals Florida district court ruling upholding FinCEN final rule

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:06:08 GMT

Fidelity appeals Florida district court ruling upholding FinCEN final rule - While opponents of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s real estate transaction reporting rule celebrate the recent vacatur order against it, Fidelity National Financial is taking the opportunity to appeal in hopes of overturning their own court outcome, which previously upheld the rule.

Virginia lawmakers pass deed fraud prevention bill package

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:02:21 GMT

Virginia lawmakers pass deed fraud prevention package - The Virginia General Assembly has passed a pair of bills aimed at reducing deed fraud, which will require seller identity verification for settlement agents, the implementation of education requirements for notaries and more.

Wisconsin lawmakers pass bills to modernize deed registration processes

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:57:31 GMT

Wisconsin lawmakers pass bills to modernize deed registration processes - A legislative package has been passed by lawmakers in Wisconsin which, once signed by the governor, will modernize deed registration procedures and streamline the recording of documents.

FinCEN’s rapid response program interdicts funding for fraud victims

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:55:15 GMT

FinCEN’s rapid response program interdicts funding for fraud victims - The Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s Rapid Response Program has facilitated the interdiction of over $1.8 billion in stolen funds on behalf of U.S. victims since the program’s inception.

New Oregon DFR insurance premium program helping affordable housing providers

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:52:53 GMT

New Oregon DFR insurance premium program helping affordable housing providers - The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is accepting applications for help with the rising costs of insurance premiums for affordable housing providers. State legislators passed a bill in the 2025 legislative session to help mitigate and stabilize insurance costs for affordable housing providers and emergency shelter operators.

Ohio social media influencer sentenced for Ponzi scheme, tax fraud

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:48:30 GMT

Ohio social media influencer sentenced for Ponzi scheme, tax fraud - U.S. Attorney Dominick Gerace II recently announced enforcement actions against violators of tax laws, including an Ohio social media influencer who orchestrated a $20 million real estate Ponzi scheme and committed tax fraud to further that scheme.

Homeowner appeals ruling that upheld title company’s coverage denial

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:49:57 GMT

Homeowner appeals ruling that upheld title company’s coverage denial - When property owners in Massachusetts were sued by neighbors over a boundary wall and their title insurance provider declined legal protection, the owners sued the provider for breach of contract. A judge ruled that the title company had correctly denied coverage, leading the property owners to appeal.

Arizona considers implementing public record secrecy statute

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:48:12 GMT

Arizona considers implementing public record secrecy statute - Lawmakers in Arizona are deliberating over a house bill that would enable citizens of any county to request that their personal information is kept confidential, including recorded documents and certain properties held in trust.

Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to require training, verification for filing deeds

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:46:28 GMT

Tennessee lawmakers pass bill to require training, verification for filing deeds - Pending signature by Gov. Bill Lee, a new state law in Tennessee will soon require increased oversight requirements for county-level deed recorders.

Nevada Tax Commission considers revising exemptions to property transfer tax

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:44:49 GMT

Nevada Tax Commission considers revising exemptions to property transfer tax - The Nevada Tax Commission is considering updates to the state’s real property transfer tax regulations, including changes to how exemptions to the tax are granted.

Connecticut confirms incoming insurance commissioner

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:42:57 GMT

Connecticut confirms incoming insurance commissioner - The Connecticut Insurance Department announced on April 10 that the Connecticut State Senate confirmed the state’s 34th insurance commissioner.

Montana regulators report $1 million in fraud loss prevention so far in 2026

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:41:25 GMT

Montana regulators report $1 million in fraud loss prevention so far in 2026 - So far in 2026, Montana State Auditor James Brown and his team have helped to prevent nearly $1 million in fraud-related losses for Montanans, according to Brown’s office.

Panel discusses blockchain applications for recorders, recordkeepers

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:01:47 GMT

Panel discusses blockchain applications for recorders, recordkeepers - During the 2026 Property Records Industry Association Winter Symposium, experts gathered to discuss blockchain and its potential applications for county recorders and other recordkeepers.

FBI: Cybercrime cost Americans nearly $21 billion in 2025

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:59:59 GMT

FBI: Cybercrime cost Americans nearly $21 billion in 2025 - The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center published findings from its annual Internet Crime Report, which revealed that artificial intelligence scams and other cyber-enabled crimes cost Americans nearly $21 billion in losses last year.

California bill would update Department of Insurance regulations

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:57:48 GMT

California bill would update Department of Insurance regulations - The statutes and regulations outlined under the law establishing California’s Department of Insurance could be altered by a new bill being considered by state lawmakers.

Missouri bill would update real estate disclosure requirements

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:56:22 GMT

Missouri bill would update real estate disclosure requirements - Legislators in Missouri are considering a bill that would institute new requirements for residential real estate wholesalers, including written disclosure statements prior to contracts going into effect.

Nebraska lawmakers pass law updating county tax assessor regulations

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:54:53 GMT

Nebraska lawmakers pass law updating county tax assessor regulations - New regulations could soon go into effect in Nebraska which will adjust the statutes governing the election, operation and responsibilities of county tax assessors, as well as how county governments request and set certification requirements for deputy assessors.

Illinois state bill proposes minimum fees for county clerks, recorders

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:53:29 GMT

Illinois state bill proposes minimum fees for county clerks, recorders - Lawmakers in Illinois are deliberating over a state bill that would establish a minimum fee schedule for the recording of various documents by county officials.

Title agency files counterclaims against cyber insurers following fraud loss

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:54:12 GMT

Title agency files counterclaims against cyber insurers following fraud loss - Two insurance companies went before a district court to dismiss counterclaims made against them by a title agency, with the dispute centering around cyber insurance coverage responsibility, negligence and a real estate fraud scheme addressed in an underlying lawsuit.

State-level enforcement likely to remain defining regulatory factor in 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:48:39 GMT

State-level enforcement likely to remain defining regulatory factor in 2026 - As part of The Legal Description’s 2026 State of the Industry report, we checked in with a few of our trusted experts to help discern the road ahead through the most pressing challenges, both new and old alike.

Missouri insurance regulators deny license for title company owner

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:41:56 GMT

Missouri insurance regulators deny license for title company owner - Citing multiple violations of state law as drivers of the decision, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance refused to issue an insurance producer license to the owner of a title company in Columbia, Mo.

FinCEN outlines proposed reform to BSA-related anti-money laundering programs

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:40:14 GMT

FinCEN outlines proposed reform to BSA-related anti-money laundering programs - The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has issued a proposed rule intended to fundamentally reform financial institutions’ anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing programs under the Bank Secrecy Act.

Arkansas Insurance Department reminds producers of annual renewal requirements

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:38:45 GMT

Arkansas Insurance Department reminds producers of annual renewal requirements - The Arkansas Insurance Department issued a bulletin to the state’s licensed insurance entities on April 2, reminding producers that they are required to annually file for appointment renewal with the insurance commissioner and pay any related fees.

Ohio regulators recognize Fraud Prevention Month

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:37:26 GMT

Ohio regulators recognize Fraud Prevention Month - As part of Fraud Prevention Month, Ohio Department of Insurance Director Judith French is urging residents to safeguard against insurance fraud, which is estimated to cost consumers and businesses billions annually.

Exploring physical media, data backups and the role of recordkeepers

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:21:58 GMT

Exploring physical media, data backups and the role of recordkeepers - Panelists at the Property Records Industry Association’s 2026 Winter Symposium dove deep into the various forms of physical media and data backup options that are emerging as ways to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks and outages, from paper to optical drives.

Appeals court reviews complete defense rule in dispute against title company

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:15:30 GMT

Appeals court reviews complete defense rule in dispute against title company - An irrevocable trust appealed a district court’s decision in its suit against a title services provider over a claims and coverage dispute. The case was ultimately decided in an appeals court.

Colorado considers tax lien sale overhaul

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:13:43 GMT

Colorado considers tax lien sale overhaul - The Colorado legislature is considering a bill which aims to modify the fees that county treasurers can charge, to amend the process for selling tax liens and to revise how a treasurer's deed is obtained after a public auction of property affected by a tax lien.

Treasury to begin series of meetings with insurance regulators

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:11:57 GMT

Treasury to begin series of meetings with insurance regulators - The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced on April 1 that it plans to convene a series of meetings with domestic and international insurance regulators as part of efforts to facilitate better regular communication and closer collaboration with state insurance regulators.

Maine Bureau of Insurance reports saving consumers $5.8M in insurance costs in 2025

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:03:46 GMT

Maine Bureau of Insurance reports saving consumers $5.8M in insurance costs in 2025 - According to the Maine Bureau of Insurance, its regulatory and review processes in 2025 managed to save Maine consumers a total of roughly $5.8 million in insurance costs throughout 2025. An additional $4.5 million was returned through investigations into customer complaints.

Former Missouri escrow officer pleads guilty to bank fraud

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:02:13 GMT

Former Missouri escrow officer pleads guilty to bank fraud - A former escrow officer from Cameron, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court on March 24 to one count of bank fraud. She now faces up to 30 years in federal prison without parole.

Colorado AG voids MV Realty contracts to the tune of $8.4 million

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:15:34 GMT

Colorado AG voids MV Realty contracts to the tune of $8.4 million - Under a binding agreement with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Florida-based real estate company MV Realty will be required to pay the state $600,000 in consumer restitution while nullifying its long-term real estate agreements, saving Colorado homeowners an estimated $8.4 million.

Texas Business Court publishes opinion on jurisdiction of title company dispute

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:13:28 GMT

Texas Business Court publishes opinion on jurisdiction of title company dispute - The Business Court of Texas, Fourth Division, recently issued an opinion in the case of Alamo Title Co. v. WFG National Title Co. of Texas, LLC, establishing the precedent that the Business Court has the authority to determine subject matter jurisdiction even with only indirect connections to intellectual property.

Chicago Title seeks summary judgement in breach of contract suit

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:08:31 GMT

Chicago Title seeks summary judgement in breach of contract suit - A small strip of disputed land, a denied building permit and other factors eventually led to a breach of contract suit between a property developer and a title insurance company. A U.S. District Court weighed in on the case to consider the title company’s motion for summary judgment.

Texas AG proposes rules for ‘foreign adversaries’ land ownership bill

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:06:37 GMT

Texas AG proposes rules for ‘foreign adversaries’ land ownership bill - Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas proposed a set of rules that would formalize SB 17, which took effect on Sept. 1, 2025, and prohibits certain designated foreign entities from owning land in Texas. Under the rules, title insurance companies would be required to report any suspected violations of the law.

Virginia passes bill to update settlement agent duties

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:05:01 GMT

Virginia passes bill to update settlement agent duties - Lawmakers in Virginia have passed a bill to amend and establish the formal duties of settlement agents operating in the state, including a requirement that instruments be recorded within two business days.

Georgia lawmakers consider restrictions on lien filing process

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:03:35 GMT

Georgia lawmakers consider restrictions on lien filing process - A house bill making its way through the Georgia legislature aims to curb the misuse of mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens.

Title agency owner, attorney reflect on court win vacating FinCEN final rule

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:13:00 GMT

Title agency owner, attorney reflect on court win vacating FinCEN final rule - After a Texas district court issued a vacatur order, the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network paused its real estate transaction reporting rule. The Legal Description spoke with Celia Flowers, owner of Flowers Title Companies, LLC, and her legal team about the case and their thoughts on what comes next.

Hawaii Supreme Court weighs in on breach of escrow contract dispute

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:10:42 GMT

Hawaii Supreme Court weighs in on breach of escrow contract dispute - A homebuyer took her property’s seller to court over the alleged breach of a related escrow agreement, only to appeal after a circuit court ordered summary judgment for the escrow service provider. After an appeals court partially upheld the judgment, the Supreme Court of Hawai’i took on the case to determine the validity of the lower courts’ rulings.

Charlottesville title agency reports 22,000+ impacted by data breach

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:08:42 GMT

Charlottesville title agency reports 22,000+ impacted by data breach - A real estate title and settlement agency located in Charlottesville, Va., began notifying customers on March 18 that it had been the target of data breach, with roughly 22,041 individuals throughout the U.S. thought to be impacted.

MISMO builds consistent information framework with new ALTA datasets

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:05:47 GMT

MISMO builds consistent information framework with new ALTA datasets - The real estate finance industry’s standards organization has partnered with the American Land Title Association to publish two new policy and settlement statement datasets, with the goal of aligning both organizations’ information processing standards.

State regulators issue comprehensive call for homeowners insurance policy data

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:01:59 GMT

State regulators issue comprehensive call for homeowners insurance policy data - During the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ 2026 Spring National Meeting, state insurance regulators issued a nationwide data call to insurance companies to better understand homeowners insurance markets.

Ohio man charged with mortgage fraud in Florida faces up to 30 years in prison

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:50:32 GMT

Ohio man charged with mortgage fraud in Florida faces up to 30 years in prison - Having been charged with six counts of bank fraud in relation to a mortgage scheme he operated in Florida, an Ohio man is facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Florida.

FinCEN says reporting rule filing not required after court order

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:27:25 GMT

FinCEN says reporting rule filing not required after court order - In light of a Texas district court order in vacating the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) residential real estate reporting rule, FinCEN announced reporting persons are not currently required to file real estate reports.

State AG coalition sues lender for deceptive contracts, misleading sales

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:24:38 GMT

State AG coalition sues lender for deceptive contracts, misleading sales - New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading a bipartisan group of 12 other state attorneys general, is suing Indiana-based financial services company OneMain Financial for misleading customers and trapping them in costly loans.

Federal judge rules against CFPB in funding structure dispute

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:22:19 GMT

Federal judge rules against CFPB in funding structure dispute - In a March 13 ruling, a federal judge declared that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau violated the law by not requesting funding earlier this year, adding that the CFPB’s director does not have the authority to decide if the Federal Reserve has enough “combined earnings” to fund the bureau.

Idaho considers ban on foreign ownership of single-family homes

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:15:56 GMT

Idaho considers ban on foreign ownership of single-family homes - A law recently introduced to the Idaho legislature would prohibit non-U.S. citizens from purchasing or owning single-family dwellings within the state. The law would also grant the state’s attorney general the authority to take legal action against violators.

FinCEN publishes FAQs to clarify GTO on money services transaction reporting

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:14:06 GMT

FinCEN publishes FAQs to clarify GTO on money services transaction reporting - Following the March 6 renewal and modification of a geographic targeting order, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has released a series of frequently-asked questions to clarify the order’s scope and regulatory requirements.

Investigation into identity theft and title fraud scheme nets 11 arrests

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:45:43 GMT

Investigation into identity theft and title fraud scheme nets 11 arrests - Eleven defendants, including two foreign nationals, were arrested March 19 following a federal indictment for their involvement in a scheme targeting elderly victims' identities which they are accused of using to misrepresent themselves to lenders to obtain loans tied to the victims' properties.

Massachusetts AG strikes $2.25M settlement to nullify MV Realty contracts

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:01:03 GMT

Massachusetts AG strikes $2.25M settlement to nullify MV Realty contracts - Under a settlement agreement with Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, MV Realty will be compelled to pay restitution to the commonwealth, while also abandoning enforcement of its predatory contracts.

Increased title insurance rates now in effect in Ohio

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:57:37 GMT

Increased title insurance rates now in effect in Ohio - Effective since Jan. 1, the Ohio Title Insurance Rating Bureau and Ohio Department of Insurance approved the first increase in title insurance rates in 25 years.

Maryland regulators issue bulletin regarding split settlement options

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:54:53 GMT

Maryland regulators issue bulletin regarding split settlement options - The Maryland Insurance Administration recently issued a bulletin to inform licensed title insurance producers of the process of split settlement and how it is treated under Maryland state law and regulations.

West Virginia legislature introduces Tax Lien Registration Act

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:53:20 GMT

West Virginia legislature introduces Tax Lien Registration Act - Legislators in West Virginia have introduced the Tax Lien Registration Act, which would create a uniform system for filing tax lien notices.

Mississippi enacts new testing standards for insurance producer licensing

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:51:25 GMT

Mississippi enacts new testing standards for insurance producer licensing - Gov. Tate Reeves signed into law a new set of standards for the testing and licensing of insurance producers in Mississippi, including the authorization of outside testing services.

Florida lawmakers vote to allow stablecoin as payment for regulatory fees

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:49:42 GMT

Florida lawmakers vote to allow stablecoin as payment for regulatory fees - The Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program would enable the state’s Department of Financial Services to accept stablecoins as payment for a variety of regulatory fees, including those related to licensing and applications. If enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis, these bills will make Florida the first state in the nation to accept stablecoin as payment.

Washington State Department of Revenue appeals case over remote title services

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:45:30 GMT

Washington State Department of Revenue appeals case over remote title services - A dispute between the Chicago Title Insurance Co. and the Washington State Department of Revenue was brought before the Court of Appeals of Washington, which decided if a lower court ruled fairly on whether the title company’s remote escrow services were truly operated remotely.

CertifID examines the evolution of wire fraud in 2026 report

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:42:57 GMT

CertifID examines the evolution of wire fraud in 2026 report - Among the findings in its 2026 State of Wire Fraud Report, security solutions provider CertifID reveals that a quarter of homebuyers received fraudulent or suspicious communications during their closings in 2025.

Title fraud prevention bill introduced in Ohio

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:40:00 GMT

Title fraud prevention bill introduced in Ohio - In response to the growing threat of title and deed fraud, lawmakers in Ohio have introduced a bill that would, if enacted, require additional training for real estate agents and for property transfers to require presentation of government-issued ID.

FinCEN issues expanded GTO in the Southwest

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:38:22 GMT

FinCEN issues expanded GTO in the Southwest - The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an expanded geographic targeting order to counter money laundering and other illicit activities along the southwestern U.S. border.

Title agency data breach compromises consumers in Northeast U.S.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:36:42 GMT

Title agency data breach compromises consumers in Northeast U.S. - Aspen Title & Escrow, LLC, has reported a data breach that is believed to have compromised the information of consumers, including Social Security numbers and financial account information.

Florida title company owner arrested for theft of client funds

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:34:58 GMT

Florida title company owner arrested for theft of client funds - A former Florida attorney and owner of MEB Title Co. was arrested on March 11 and faces charges of grand theft and money laundering for allegedly misappropriating more than $200,000 in client funds.

County recorder shares detailed account of crippling cyberattack

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:57:59 GMT

County recorder shares detailed account of crippling cyberattack - During the 2026 Property Records Industry Association Winter Symposium, Box Elder County, Utah, Recorder Chad Montgomery detailed the targeted cyber intrusion that hit both the county’s computer network and backup system, crippling his office’s operations and leaving title companies with no access to deeds.

Jury finds Rocket Close owes $175M in trade secret case

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:55:54 GMT

Jury finds Rocket Close owes $175M in trade secret case - After years of back-and-forth suits and appeals, a new jury in a retrial reached a verdict in the legal battle between a property platform and Amrock (now Rocket Close LLC), awarding HouseCanary $175 million in compensatory damages.

How to build strong relationships within the title industry

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:53:07 GMT

How to build strong relationships within the title industry - Loretta Salzano, founder and president at Franzén and Salzano, and Michael Ridgway, president/CEO at Community Title Network and managing member of the Ridgway Law Group, answered a few questions about what they plan to cover in their upcoming October Research, LLC webinar.

ALTA, NSPS announce updated land title survey standards

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:51:35 GMT

ALTA, NSPS announce updated land title survey standards - The American Land Title Association and the National Society of Professional Surveyors have released a new set of minimum standards for land title surveys, updating standards originally established in 2021.

West Virginia considers outlawing property dumping to avoid debts, fines

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:50:07 GMT

West Virginia considers outlawing property dumping to avoid debts, fines - A bill recently introduced to the West Virginia legislature would make it a criminal offense to dispose of real property with the intent of avoiding legal or financial liability.

Florida CFO announces record $88M in unclaimed property returns

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:48:20 GMT

Florida CFO announces record $88M in unclaimed property returns - Throughout the month of February, the Florida Department of Financial Services returned a record $88 million in unclaimed property to consumers, according to an announcement by the state’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.

Cybersecurity insights from the 2026 PRIA Winter Symposium

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:59:04 GMT

Cybersecurity insights from the 2026 PRIA Winter Symposium - During the recent 2026 Property Records Industry Association Winter Symposium in Virginia Beach, Va., attendees received a comprehensive update in the “State of Cybersecurity” session, including insights into what makes a comprehensive cyber defense strategy.

Privacy group files suit against FinCEN over real estate reporting rule

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:56:50 GMT

Privacy group files suit against FinCEN over real estate reporting rule - Only days after defeating a previous challenge against its new rule in court, the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network faced a new lawsuit alleging overreach and unnecessary reporting burdens, this time in Puerto Rico.

‘Title Fraud Prevention Act’ introduced in Rhode Island

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:54:52 GMT

‘Title Fraud Prevention Act’ introduced in Rhode Island - Lawmakers in Rhode Island have introduced a bill titled the “Title Fraud Prevention Act,” which would authorize recorders of deeds to require government-issued photo ID to be presented before a property instrument can be recorded.

Georgia considers bill to ban foreign land ownership near important infrastructure

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:52:58 GMT

Georgia considers bill to ban foreign land ownership near important infrastructure - A bill under consideration in the Georgia legislature would prohibit foreign entities from acquiring land interests near key infrastructure without prior approval from the state’s attorney general.

Tennessee regulators returned $15 million to consumers in 2025

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:51:30 GMT

Tennessee regulators returned $15 million to consumers in 2025 - According to an announcement by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, consumer advocates were able to recover $15.67 million through restitution efforts in the 2025 calendar year.

NYDFS warns of increased cyber-attack risk amid global conflict

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:48:24 GMT

NYDFS warns of increased cyber-attack risk amid global conflict - A bulletin by the New York Department of Financial Services warns regulated entities of the increasing risk of cyber-attacks amid escalating global conflict and advises heightened vigilance.

Homeowners appeal excess equity suit against county treasurer to Ohio Supreme Court

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:01:44 GMT

Homeowners appeal excess equity suit against county treasurer to Ohio Supreme Court - A group of Ohio homeowners protesting Cuyahoga County’s foreclosure and tax sale practices look to take their class action suit to the state’s Supreme Court following defeats in trial and appeals courts.

FinCEN adds exemptions for bank reporting requirements in Minnesota

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:59:55 GMT

FinCEN adds exemptions for bank reporting requirements in Minnesota - An exceptive relief order was issued by the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network that loosens some geographic targeting order recordkeeping requirements for banking institutions in Minnesota, as part of an investigation into government benefits fraud.

Anti-title scam measure under review in Hawaii legislature

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:55:04 GMT

Anti-title scam measure under review in Hawaii legislature - Lawmakers in Hawaii are weighing a bill that would, if enacted, impose requirements on the state’s Bureau of Conveyances to mitigate the risk of fraudulent land title recordings.

California bill would require greater visibility for title insurance rate increases

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:53:26 GMT

California bill would require greater visibility for title insurance rate increases - An assembly bill under consideration by the California legislature would lengthen the time title insurance rate increases would have to be publicly displayed before they are enacted.

Mississippi insurance regulators returned $44M+ to consumers in 2025

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:52:10 GMT

Mississippi insurance regulators returned $44M+ to consumers in 2025 - According to an announcement by the Mississippi Insurance Department, more than $44 million was recovered for insurance customers in the state throughout calendar year 2025.

Tennessee insurance regulation team announces promotion, new addition

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:50:14 GMT

Tennessee insurance regulation team announces promotion, new addition - The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance announced a promotion in its Division of Insurance on March 3, as well as a new team member.

U.S. Supreme Court considers what is ‘just compensation’ in tax foreclosure sales

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:06:44 GMT

U.S. Supreme Court considers what is ‘just compensation’ in tax foreclosure sales - The Legal Description traveled to D.C. and sat in on oral arguments in front of the U.S. Supreme Court for Pung v Isabella County, a case that could have significant implications for the entire tax lien foreclosure process. Afterwards, we caught up with one of the attorneys who was in the court representing the Pung family for her takeaways from the Justices’ line of questioning.

District court strikes down challenge of CFPB’s PACE rule

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:04:58 GMT

District court strikes down challenge of CFPB’s PACE rule - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Property Assessed Clean Energy rule was upheld by a U.S. District Court, ending a legal challenge by a trade union alleging 10th amendment violations.

Judiciary pushes Congress for real property authority as courthouses repairs pile up

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:02:29 GMT

Judiciary pushes Congress for real property authority as courthouses repairs pile up - Representatives of the Federal Judiciary recently urged Congress to grant real property authority so federal courthouses and other critical facilities can be kept from falling into disrepair.

Florida senate passes bill to classify cybersecurity investigation records

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:00:34 GMT

Florida senate passes bill to classify cybersecurity investigation records - Under a new bill being advanced by the Florida state senate, public records related to investigations into cybersecurity events would be considered exempt from public disclosure until the relevant investigations are complete or inactive.

New Jersey confirms attorney general

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:58:58 GMT

New Jersey confirms attorney general - Jennifer Davenport, who became acting attorney general of New Jersey in January, was officially confirmed as attorney general by a unanimous state senate vote on Feb. 24.

Oregon consumer advocates recovered over $7 million in 2025

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:57:30 GMT

Oregon consumer advocates recovered over $7 million in 2025 - The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has announced that its consumer advocates were able to recover more than $1 million in Q4 2025, bringing last year’s total to more than $7 million.

District judge rules in favor of FinCEN in Fidelity’s challenge of reporting rule

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:33:41 GMT

District judge rules in favor of FinCEN in Fidelity’s challenge of reporting rule - Fidelity National Financial’s case against the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network over the new real estate transaction reporting rule came to an end on Feb. 20, with a U.S. District judge ordering summary judgement in the Treasury’s favor.

NTLA webinar breaks down Pung v. Isabella ahead of Supreme Court arguments

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:27:33 GMT

NTLA webinar breaks down Pung v. Isabella ahead of Supreme Court arguments - As Pung v. Isabella County goes before the Supreme Court, a National Tax Lien Association webinar recently broke down the details of the case and the case’s potential implications for the entire tax lien foreclosure process.

The Legal Description in the field for Supreme Court arguments, PRIA conference

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:25:46 GMT

The Legal Description in the field for Supreme Court arguments, PRIA conference - The last week of February will be a busy time for the team behind The Legal Description, as they’ll be taking to the field for both a Supreme Court hearing on excess equity and the 2026 Property Records Industry Association Winter Symposium.

Washington senate passes bill to define insurance fraud as a felony

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:24:21 GMT

Washington senate passes bill to define insurance fraud as a felony - A bill that would classify insurance fraud as a class B felony in Washington state was approved by the state senate on Feb. 17 and has been passed on to house committee review.