Fraud Insights Centre

Spot it. Stop it. Secure it.

March is Fraud Prevention Month — and the Fraud Insights Centre brings together expert insights, tools, and resources to help you stay informed and protected, this month and beyond.

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Fraud Insights Report: key data and emerging fraud trends

This report brings together validated statistics from external sources and interpretation from FCT’s internal experts to clarify how fraud is changing and what emerging trends mean in practice.

Read the full fraud insights report
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1-Feb-23-2026-06-45-11-1455-PM
John Tracy

Senior Legal Counsel, Claims

2-Feb-23-2026-06-45-21-9082-PM
Marie Taylor, CFE

Director, National Underwriter, Legal

3-Feb-23-2026-06-45-30-9231-PM
Cory Woods 

Director, Information Security & IT Risk

Protecting yourself

The ultimate guide to fraud prevention for Canadians

Fraud in Canada has become increasingly digital, complex, and difficult to detect—affecting people across all walks of life. This guide explains how fraud works, the warning signs to watch for, and the practical steps Canadians can take to protect their personal information, finances, and property before fraud occurs. It also outlines how FCT supports fraud prevention at multiple stages of the real estate lifecycle, helping bring added awareness, safeguards, and informed decision-making to property transactions across Canada.

 

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FPM - Blog - 2026 - The ultimate guide to fraud prevention in Canada-1
Protecting your clients
Three ways you can protect your customers from title fraud

Three ways you can protect your customers from title fraud

Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, but so can your prevention strategy. Explore three practical steps real estate professionals can take to help reduce title fraud risk and better protect their clients.

Read article
What's next? The future of fraud prevention

What's next? The future of fraud prevention

Fraud tactics are evolving quickly, and generative AI is changing the risk landscape. Explore what this means for real estate professionals and how stronger identity verification can help you stay ahead of emerging threats.

Read article
How technology transformed title fraud

How technology transformed title fraud

Remote transactions and digital tools have made real estate more convenient, but have also created new openings for fraud. Learn how identity theft, AI, and increasingly sophisticated fake IDs are reshaping title fraud risk, and what stronger verification can mean for your practice.

Read article
FCT Partners with Interac to Transform Identity Verification in Real Estate Transactions

FCT Partners with Interac to Transform Identity Verification in Real Estate Transactions

What if identity verification in real estate didn't require repeated document checks? Learn how FCT's integration with Interac Verified™ could help strengthen fraud prevention and move the industry toward more secure digital transactions.

Read article
FCT Acquires Majority Interest in Fintracker to Modernize Identity Verification

FCT Acquires Majority Interest in Fintracker to Modernize Identity Verification in the Canadian Real Estate Industry

As fraud tactics evolve, identity verification must evolve with them. Discover how FCT's investment in Fintracker is helping modernize KYC and AML compliance while supporting a more secure real estate experience.

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The ultimate guide to title insurance

The ultimate guide to title insurance

Title issues and fraud can surface long after you purchase a home. This guide breaks down what title insurance covers, how it works, and why it can be an important safeguard against unexpected ownership risks.

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Legal Professionals

Three ways you can protect your customers from title fraud

Three ways you can protect your customers from title fraud

Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, but so can your prevention strategy. Explore three practical steps real estate professionals can take to help reduce title fraud risk and better protect their clients.

Read article
What's next? The future of fraud prevention

What's next? The future of fraud prevention

Fraud tactics are evolving quickly, and generative AI is changing the risk landscape. Explore what this means for real estate professionals and how stronger identity verification can help you stay ahead of emerging threats.

Read article
How technology transformed title fraud

How technology transformed title fraud

Remote transactions and digital tools have made real estate more convenient, but have also created new openings for fraud. Learn how identity theft, AI, and increasingly sophisticated fake IDs are reshaping title fraud risk, and what stronger verification can mean for your practice.

Read article

Lending Professionals

FCT Partners with Interac to Transform Identity Verification in Real Estate Transactions

FCT Partners with Interac to Transform Identity Verification in Real Estate Transactions

What if identity verification in real estate didn't require repeated document checks? Learn how FCT's integration with Interac Verified™ could help strengthen fraud prevention and move the industry toward more secure digital transactions.

Read article
FCT Acquires Majority Interest in Fintracker to Modernize Identity Verification

FCT Acquires Majority Interest in Fintracker to Modernize Identity Verification in the Canadian Real Estate Industry

As fraud tactics evolve, identity verification must evolve with them. Discover how FCT's investment in Fintracker is helping modernize KYC and AML compliance while supporting a more secure real estate experience.

Read article
The ultimate guide to title insurance

The ultimate guide to title insurance

Title issues and fraud can surface long after you purchase a home. This guide breaks down what title insurance covers, how it works, and why it can be an important safeguard against unexpected ownership risks.

Read article

Spotted, Stopped, and Secured:

John Tracy Walks Us Through Fraud Prevention in Action

John Tracy breaks down a real fraud case he identified and stopped before funds were released, highlighting the red flags that prompted action. See how careful review and experience helped prevent loss.

Practical checklists to strengthen your protection

Being prepared before fraud occurs can make a meaningful difference. These checklists support early awareness and informed decision-making, helping identify potential gaps before they can be exploited.

How secure is your legal practice?

A proactive checklist to assess exposure across key touchpoints and guide conversations about risk and prevention for your practice and with your clients.

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Protect yourself in everyday transactions

A simple self-check to recognize warning signs and reduce risk, useful on its own and as a practical reference in transactional discussions.

 

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An expert perspective from the field

Matt Cunnington shares insights from real-world situations drawn from extensive experience investigating complex financial crime.

 

Matt Cunnington, CFE, CFCI,

TRM-CFC Financial Crimes Unit,

Fraud Project Team

Halton Regional Police Service

 

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FPM - Blog - 2026 - Q&A with Matt

Webinar for legal professionals

Fraud Prevention Month Webinar: Hosted by FCT

March 12, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.

 

Join FCT experts for a live discussion on fraud risks facing legal practices today. This webinar will explore common tactics, emerging trends, and practical steps legal professionals can take to strengthen due diligence and protect their clients.

Register now
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On demand webinars
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Behind the Deal: Defending Against Real Estate Fraud

FCT hosts legal experts to share proven strategies for spotting and preventing real estate fraud during Fraud Prevention Month.

Watch Webinar
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Behind the Screen: Defending Against Online Fraud

Learn to spot phishing, typosquatting, and online fraud tactics—protect your clients and business in today’s digital landscape.

Watch Webinar
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Recognizing Red Flags in Legal Practice and Staying Ahead with Technology

Join experts to explore fraud tactics and learn how legal professionals can protect clients and businesses from evolving threats.

watch webinar

Catch up on our 2025 cybersecurity insights

Download the 2025 Cybersecurity Resource Guide

FAQ

What is title fraud?

Title fraud is when someone impersonates the legitimate owner of a property and takes out a mortgage on it, or sells it to an innocent buyer. Title fraud can result in a total loss for the lender on a transaction, while property owners face a stressful and expensive process to have their clear title restored.

How can I identify title fraud?

Some warning signs include: a suspiciously low sale price, pressure to close the deal quickly without asking questions, instructions to pay out the mortgage to an unrelated third party, and incomplete or inconsistent documentation.

How can I protect myself from title fraud?

Always use an ID verification tool when onboarding clients. Check the closing documents against each other for inconsistencies in signatures, or personal information. Close every transaction with title insurance in place so that if there is fraud, you and your client are protected.

What should I do if I suspect title fraud?

Report any suspicions to law enforcement, the other professionals involved in the deal, and relevant authorities promptly for investigation. If you’re unsure about a deal, you can reach out to FCT’s underwriting team.

Can title insurance help prevent title fraud?

The main role of title insurance in the case of fraud is providing coverage and legal assistance to owners and lenders, but it can also help in prevention by adding underwriting scrutiny to transactions. Always make sure to digitally verify client ID in addition to title insuring the transaction.