🛡️ Fraud Shield Agent Spotlight – Dove Title
August 20, 2026
When red flags appear, diligence makes all the difference.
At FNTI, we know that protecting real estate transactions takes more than following a checklist. It takes experience, attention to detail, strong verification practices, and the confidence to question something that doesn’t feel right.
Katie Swafford, Escrow Officer at Botts Title, demonstrated exactly what it means to be a Fraud Shield Agent when she recognized multiple red flags in a vacant land transaction and took action to protect the true property owners and excited buyers from a potential fraud scheme.
When Something Doesn’t Feel Right
The transaction involved a vacant lot, a seller claiming to be out of the country, and pressure to move quickly toward closing. Katie began arranging a remote online notarization (RON), which offers important identity verification safeguards, but the purported seller repeatedly insisted on completing the transaction through a consulate instead.
The seller’s ongoing excuses and insistence on an alternative notarization process raised concerns. Rather than dismissing her instincts, Katie took a closer look at the seller information form and began comparing the details against records she had from a previous transaction involving the actual property owners.
Because Katie had closed a transaction for these owners several years earlier, she had a valuable point of comparison. The inconsistencies reinforced her suspicions that something wasn’t right.
Katie trusted her instincts, investigated the discrepancies, and recognized that the transaction could be fraudulent.
Verification Confirmed the Suspicion
Katie contacted FNTI underwriting to report her concerns and determine the appropriate next steps. The team prioritized contacting the actual property owners to verify whether they were selling the property.
The owners confirmed that they were not selling the property.
Katie then helped ensure the appropriate parties were notified, including local law enforcement and the buyers. Although the buyers may have incurred costs for a survey and were unable to proceed with the property purchase, Katie’s diligence helped protect them from potentially much greater financial losses.
Her willingness to pause the process, question inconsistencies, and verify the seller’s identity made a meaningful difference.
Red Flags Every Title Professional Should Recognize
Katie’s experience is a reminder that fraudsters often rely on urgency, convincing stories, and a lack of direct contact with the true property owner. Recognizing these warning signs early can help prevent a fraudulent transaction from progressing.
Watch for these potential red flags:
- Vacant land transactions: Vacant properties can be attractive targets for fraudsters impersonating property owners.
- Pressure to close quickly: Unusual urgency or attempts to bypass standard procedures deserve additional scrutiny.
- A seller claiming to be overseas: Being out of the country isn’t proof of fraud, but it may require additional identity verification.
- Unusual consulate notarization requests: Fraudsters have used forged or altered embassy and consulate stamps. If a seller requests a consulate appointment, independently verify the appointment with the relevant consulate whenever possible. Procedures vary by location, so follow applicable verification requirements.
- A seller the real estate agent has never met: If the agent has communicated with the seller only through text, email, or phone and has never met them in person, consider additional independent verification.
- Inconsistent seller information: Compare submitted identification and seller details against reliable records from prior transactions when available and appropriate.
No single red flag necessarily confirms fraud. However, multiple inconsistencies should prompt a pause and further verification before moving forward.
Fraud Shield Agent | Fraud Fighter
Katie’s actions demonstrate why experience, sound judgment, and a willingness to ask questions are essential to fraud prevention. She recognized unusual circumstances, used information available from a previous transaction, and worked with FNTI underwriting to verify the facts before the transaction could proceed.
She didn’t ignore the warning signs. She trusted her instincts, followed the process, and helped protect the people behind the transaction.
Thank you, Katie, for your diligence, quick action, and commitment to doing things the right way. Your work exemplifies what it means to be a Fraud Shield Agent and Fraud Fighter.
Have You Helped Stop Fraud?
Every fraud prevention story is an opportunity to educate and protect others across the title industry. If you or your team identify a suspicious transaction, share your experience so others can learn from the warning signs and help prevent future losses.
Fraud Shield Agent. Fraud Fighter.
Stopping Fraud. Protecting the Closing.
