The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, said the FBI’s newly published 2025 Internet Crime Report reinforces the title industry’s long-standing role as a frontline defense against fraud in real estate transactions. Title professionals help identify suspicious activity, verify identities, review documentation and address risks before they become costly losses for homebuyers, property owners and lenders.
According to the FBI’s newly released 2025 Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report, Americans reported more than $20.8 billion in cybercrime losses last year. The report also found that reported real estate fraud losses climbed to $275.1 million in 2025, up from about $173 million in 2024, with 12,368 complaints filed in 2025 alone.
The FBI’s report also highlights a broader fraud environment that is becoming more sophisticated and more costly. The agency said cyber-enabled fraud accounted for 85% of all reported losses in 2025. It also identified 22,364 AI-related complaints tied to $893.3 million in losses. Americans 60 and older reported $7.748 billion in losses, underscoring the toll these schemes can take on vulnerable consumers.
“Fraud is not a side issue in housing; it is part of the affordability story,” said Chris Morton, chief executive officer of ALTA. “The FBI’s latest data shows real estate fraud is growing in a threat environment shaped by impersonation, business email compromise and AI-enabled deception. As losses rise, removing safeguards does not eliminate costs; it shifts them to consumers, lenders, insurers and the broader housing finance system.”
“Prevention matters as fraud schemes become more convincing and more sophisticated,” Morton said. “Title is protection. Title professionals are not simply processing paperwork. They help protect consumers and property rights against costly fraud, forgery and other hidden risks tied to property ownership.”
The association noted that the FBI’s latest figures align with ALTA’s ongoing message that weakening transaction safeguards does not make housing more affordable. Instead, it transfers risk and downstream costs deeper into the system.
About ALTA
The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, represents an industry comprised of more than 17,000 title insurance companies operating across the nation, with over 90% being small businesses.