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: SA2007018
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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: SA2007018
Dear Associates:
An international sweepstakes fraud is using what looks like Stewart Title of Montgomery County escrow account checks.Several individuals in several states have received the attached notification letter along with a check. Thus far, these checks all appear to be in the amount of $3,325.75. Although there is a Stewart Title of Montgomery County, which is located near Houston, TX, this notification letter is fraudulent, as is the check. We have been informed that when the "winners" call the number listed on the letter, they are asked to deposit the check into their account and then have Western Union wire money to Canada. Once the money is wired then the check that was deposited is dishonored. The check numbers on the check are fraudulent and the bank will not honor them once they are presented for deposit.
There is no sweepstakes. Stewart has notified the appropriate authorities including the bank, and none of these checks will be honored if presented for payment. For additional information from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service about how to spot a sweepstakes fraud, click here.
IF YOU RECEIVE A CALL FROM ANYONE WHO HAS RECEIVED A LETTER FROM "STEWART FINANCIAL GROUP" ABOUT WINNING A SWEEPSTAKES, PLEASE LET THAT PERSON KNOW THIS IS A FRAUD.
Click Here to View Final Award Winning Notification Letter
If you have any customers who contact you regarding the attached letter, please have them contact the Stewart representative listed below:
Mary Payne Thomas
National Litigation Counsel
Stewart Legal Services
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
1980 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 710
Houston, TX 77056
Tel: 800-729-1902
Fax: 713-629-2248
Email: mthomas@stewart.com
For on-line viewing of this and other bulletins, log onto: http://www.vuwriter.com.
References
- Bulletins Replaced:
- None
- Related Bulletins:
- None
- Underwriting Manual:
- None
- Exceptions Manual:
- None
- Forms:
- None