Special Alert: NYSA000439

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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: NYSA000439

Bulletin Document
Date: December 29, 2022
To: All New York State Agents, Office Counsel, and Managers
RE: UNDERWRITING ALERT: Cott Systems: Cattaraugus, Clinton, Onondaga, Rockland, and Schuyler Counties, NY

Please be advised: Cott Systems Inc. (“Cott”), a national provider of County Clerk records management systems and solutions, has been the victim of a cyber-attack resulting in the shutdown of county records systems and/or e-recording/searching in New York and several other states.  Cott has advised that they are working on the problem but cannot give a timeline for restoring services.  

The New York counties affected thus far are:

Cattaraugus
Clinton
Onondaga
Rockland
Schuyler

Additional information and guidance will follow.

In the event you have any questions regarding the above, please contact Stewart Title Legal Department at 212-922-0050 and speak with any Underwriting Counsel.

For on-line viewing of this and other bulletins, please log onto www.vuwriter.com

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.


References

Bulletins Replaced:
  • None
Related Bulletins:
Underwriting Manual:
  • None
Exceptions Manual:
  • None
Forms:
  • None