THIS BULLETIN IS FURNISHED TO INFORM YOU OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS. AS A REMINDER, YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENT ON VIRTUAL UNDERWRITER AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME AS IT APPLIES TO YOU, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS. OUR UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS DO NOT AUTHORIZE OUR ISSUING AGENTS TO ENGAGE IN SETTLEMENTS OR CLOSINGS ON BEHALF OF STEWART TITLE GUARANTY COMPANY. THIS BULLETIN IS NOT INTENDED TO DIRECT YOUR ESCROW OR SETTLEMENT PRACTICES OR TO CHANGE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS. CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, OR NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION SHOULD NEVER BE SHARED OR DISSEMINATED EXCEPT AS ALLOWED BY LAW. IF APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR REGULATION IMPOSES ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
Special Alert: SLS00152
Search the Database
Before closing a transaction, all issuing offices must search the names of the parties to the transaction, including the seller, buyer/borrower, payoff lender and new lender, using the Special Alerts database. Go to the Special Alerts database to search for specific names, entities and properties.
Special Alert: SLS00152
This Bulletin is to advise you, in accordance with Stewart Title Guaranty Company's ("Stewart&") Anti-Fraud Plan, that recently Stewart was the target of a fraudulent scheme, which failed because of prudent action by a Stewart employee.
This fraudulent scheme involved a letter, that appeared to be sent from the U.S. Department of Transportation's ("USDOT") Procurement Department in Washington, D.C. The letter stated,
"Our records show that you [Stewart] are currently registered as a prospective
contractor for procurements issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
However after reviewing your record we have noticed that you have not submitted
an official application to Central Contractor Registration office . . . To be
eligible for procurement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, you must
be registered as a prospective Government Contractor with CCR . . . Included
in this package is the CCR Worksheet. Please complete the worksheet and fax it
directly to the U.S. Department of Transportation Procurement office . . . ." (A
Washington, D.C. fax number was provided.)
A portion of this worksheet REQUIRED STEWART';S BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION.
The receiver of the letter had several questions about the letter and worksheet, but no phone number was listed on the letter. After obtaining a number via the Internet, this individual contacted the USDOT. Upon speaking with them, the Stewart employee was told that this letter was not sent by USDOT, but a fraudulent scheme to obtain Stewart's banking information and ultimately access Stewart's account. This incident was reported the USDOT's Fraud Division.
If you receive a letter requesting detailed information regarding bank accounts, or other sensitive information, do not immediately respond. You should always confirm your relationship with any entity that requests bank account or other sensitive information before providing the requested information.
If you suspect an attempt to defraud or a fraud should ever be perpetrated against any Stewart Family Underwriter and/or its agents, please report the activity immediately to:
Patty Hoesl
Claims & Litigation Paralegal
Stewart Legal Services
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
1980 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 710
Houston, Texas 77056
(800) 729-1902
(713) 629-2248 FAX
EMAIL: phoesl@stewart.com
For on-line viewing of this bulletin, log onto www.stewart.com. Once there,
select "Title Agent" and then "Lender Alerts".
References
- Bulletins Replaced:
- None
- Related Bulletins:
- Underwriting Manual:
- None
- Exceptions Manual:
- None
- Forms:
- None