At Counsellors Title Agency in Toms River, we’re seeing how artificial intelligence is reshaping both the real estate market and the risks that come with it. Unfortunately, AI isn’t being used only for innovation — it has also become a powerful tool for fraud. Sophisticated scammers are now able to generate realistic identification documents, alter legal contracts, and even produce convincing title-related communications that make fraudulent activity harder to detect.
The real estate closing process is a prime target for these schemes. With multiple parties involved — buyers, sellers, attorneys, lenders, and title agencies — there are many opportunities for criminals to intercept or manipulate important documents. For example, we’ve seen cases where closing instructions or wire transfer details were intercepted and altered, redirecting funds straight into a scammer’s account. An email pretending to be from your lender, attorney, or even a title company — complete with AI-generated letterheads and signatures — can be alarmingly convincing.
At Counsellors Title, protecting our clients from these growing threats is one of our highest priorities. We work proactively by:
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Using secure communication channels to reduce the risk of interception.
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Verifying payment instructions in person or through trusted, verified phone calls.
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Educating buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals about the dangers of email and wire fraud powered by AI.
Our role extends far beyond issuing title insurance policies. We are the front line of defense in ensuring that your closing is secure and that your funds and documents remain protected.
And these risks are not limited to closings alone. Across the property market, AI-enhanced scams are emerging in many forms — from fraudulent rental listings featuring AI-generated property photos to fake real estate professionals pushing “urgent” deals.
As the landscape evolves, Counsellors Title Agency remains committed to protecting every transaction with the highest levels of security, diligence, and care.
If you have any questions about this information or title insurance, please contact Ralph Aponte: 732.914.1400.
Counsellors Title Agency, www.counsellorstitle.net, founded in 1996, is one of New Jersey’s most respected title agencies, serving all 21 New Jersey counties with title insurance, clearing title, escrow, tidelands searches, and closing and settlement services for commercial or industrial properties, waterfront properties and marinas, condominiums, townhouses or residential single-family homes. Counsellors Title also features its own Attorney Settlement Assistance Program™ [ASAP], which is an individual resource customized to fit the needs specifically of real estate attorneys, including, Documentation, Preparation, Disbursement of Funds, Attendance at Closing, HUD Preparation or Post-Closing Matters.
Connect with Ralph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphaponte/