Title Guardian

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re marking one year since the official launch of Title Guardian. This year has been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with milestones, innovation, and impactful partnerships that have shaped our journey.     Our Mission in Action  Since day one, we’ve been driven by a clear mission: to protect property ownership and prevent fraud in a rapidly evolving world. From homeowners and landlords to tenants, we’re proud to provide the tools and solutions that make property security accessible and effective.     Major Achievements in 2024 This year, we:   - Formed valuable partnerships with organisations including Savills, the National Residential Landlords Association - NRLA and PCS Legal amongst others   - Took major strides in tackling illegal subletting within the social housing sector, further expanding our impact.   - Introduced identity checks in November, completing thousands with ease and receiving positive feedback.     Award Recognition A standout moment was receiving Highly Commended at The Negotiator Awards 2024 for Supplier of the Year (Apps). This honour reflects the hard work of our team, the trust of our clients, and the innovative spirit driving our efforts.     Exciting New Projects We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Smart Harbour, our enhanced identity check designed specifically for law firms and estate agents in the battle against vendor fraud. Currently in beta testing, Smart Harbour sets a new standard for mitigating risks in these critical industries and represents the next chapter in fraud prevention.     Strategic Growth We’re also excited to welcome a new Strategic Partnerships Manager in January 2025, who will play a key role in strengthening our collaborations and expanding our reach.     Looking Ahead to 2025 As we enter our second year, the possibilities are endless. From tackling property fraud and illegal subletting to delivering groundbreaking innovations like Smart Harbour, Title Guardian is poised to continue making a meaningful impact in the property sector.     Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey—our clients, partners, and dedicated team. Your trust and belief in our mission mean the world to us. Here’s to a prosperous and impactful 2025!  Sophie Blackbeard William Ellis   #TitleGuardian #OneYearAnniversary #FraudPrevention #SmartHarbour #PropertySecurity #TheNegotiatorAwards #2024Recap #Innovation

Protecting Property Owners and Supporting Professionals: Lessons from the High Court Yesterday, the High Court ruled in Social Money Ltd v Attwells Solicitors LLP that a dispute involving identity fraud in a £775,000 property transaction must proceed to trial. A fraudster, posing as the registered property owner, successfully secured funds—highlighting how sophisticated fraudulent activity can infiltrate the property market, leaving firms, agents, and clients exposed. This case is a stark reminder of the critical importance of robust identity verification processes to protect property owners and safeguard the professionals they trust—law firms, conveyancers, and estate agents. At Title Guardian, we provide identity checks and proactive monitoring services to ensure property transactions are secure and compliant. From verifying identities to keeping property owners protected, we help professionals stay one step ahead. Learn how we can help protect your clients and your business: titleguardian.co.uk. Read more: https://shorturl.at/yf7dD

The recent episode of Rip-Off Britain highlights a shocking and increasingly common crime: property fraud. Criminals are finding ways to transfer ownership of homes without the owners' knowledge, leaving victims with devastating consequences.  Title Guardian is a bespoke monitoring and alert service that offers 24/7 protection against property-related fraud for homeowners and landlords. Our technology proactively monitors activity on your property and identity, alerting you and your clients instantly on any activity. This issue underscores the importance of taking proactive steps to safeguard your property. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Learn how you can protect your home with Title Guardian.  📺 Watch the episode on BBC iPlayer here: https://shorturl.at/2nEBt #PropertyFraud #HomeProtection #FraudPrevention #TitleGuardian

Delighted to share that Title Guardian received Highly Commended at The Negotiator Awards on Friday night for Supplier of the Year (Apps)! Congratulations to Inventory Hive for their well-deserved win in this category, and to The Depositary and Acaboom on their prizes too. This recognition reflects the hard work of the Title Guardian team, our industry partners, and the innovation driving the sector forward. At Title Guardian, we are committed to protecting homeowners and landlords from the growing threat of property fraud and identity theft. Feeling inspired and motivated to continue contributing to this dynamic and ever-evolving industry. Here's to more milestones ahead! 🏆🎉 The Negotiator #thenegawards

Congratulations to the team at L&Q for their continued efforts in tackling tenancy fraud. The recovery of £24,843 in unlawful profits from an illegally sublet social housing property is a significant achievement, safeguarding resources meant for those who need them most. With 67 cases of tenancy fraud identified this year alone, it’s clear that proactive investigations and partnerships like those with the Tenancy Fraud Forum are essential in addressing the £244m annual cost to taxpayers caused by illegal subletting. Read more: https://shorturl.at/xnf2b #socialhousing #sociallandlord #housingfraud #ukproperty #tenancyfraud

As we commence International Fraud Awareness Week, it's crucial to recognise the escalating threat of property fraud in the UK. Did you know? - Last year the UK witnessed a significant rise in fraudulent activities, with the total reported fraud value reaching £2.3 billion, marking a 104% increase from the previous year (ICAEW). - Rental scams are on the rise, with over 4,700 cases reported this year, resulting in nearly £9 million in losses for victims (The Times). At Title Guardian, we are dedicated to helping property owners safeguard their most valuable assets. Throughout this week, we'll share essential tips, insights, and tools to protect your property from fraudsters. Are you confident your property is secure? Follow us this week to learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from property-related fraud. #fraudawarenessweek #frauduk #titlefraud #airbnbfraud #rentalfraud

Great day yesterday at the Oxford Investigation Service Annual Fraud Conference! 🙌 It was a pleasure meeting so many of you and hearing from the insightful speakers. A standout for us was the headline talk by Nick Wallis and Ron Warmington which sparked some interesting conversations on The Post Office Scandal. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and connect with others in the field. If you’d like to know more about Title Guardian feel free to get in touch at: onboard@titleguardian.com Oxford Investigation Service William Ellis #AnnualFraudConference #FraudPrevention #SocialHousing #Investigation #OxfordForum #InvestigativeTalks #TitleGuardian #FraudPrevention

Meet us at the Oxford Investigation Service Annual Fraud Conference – Tomorrow, 14th November! With over 200 delegates ready to dive into the latest in fraud prevention, we can’t wait to see you there! Stop by Stand B3 to meet the Title Guardian team and explore how we’re helping professionals like you stay ahead in fraud detection and property security. Here’s what’s happening: ✨ Keynote Speakers – Don’t miss Nick Wallis, the journalist who uncovered the Post Office scandal, sharing real-world insights into fraud investigation and justice. 🔍 18 Exhibitors – Discover the newest fraud detection tools and tech. We’re excited to be among them, showcasing how Title Guardian can protect your interests. Whether you’re in fraud investigation, compliance, or simply passionate about the field, we look forward to meeting you! 📅 Tomorrow, 14th November – Join us at Stand B3 to connect, learn, and collaborate. Oxford Investigation Service William Ellis #AnnualFraudConference #FraudPrevention #SocialHousing #Investigation

Do you know who’s renting your home? Many platforms, like Booking.com and Airbnb, don’t conduct thorough checks on renters or verify identities – an oversight that can lead to devastating outcomes. Take the recent case of Vina Wearing, who rented her home in Leamington Spa to a seemingly normal guest. To her horror, she later discovered through CCTV footage that her house had been turned into a pop-up brothel, with criminal activity spanning the entire rental. After 48 hours of chaos, the ‘guests’ disappeared, stealing nearly £10,000 worth of property and leaving her with a shattered sense of security. Beyond financial loss, Vina's experience highlights the risks that property owners face when listing on platforms that lack robust vetting processes. For landlords, due diligence is essential, but so is a support system from rental platforms and law enforcement. We must call for stronger renter verification protocols and support systems for hosts – these are not just properties, but people’s livelihoods and homes. Read more: https://shorturl.at/dxUgw #illegalsublet #airbnb #titlefraud #fraud #bookingcom #fraud

Over half of rental listings on Facebook Marketplace are likely scams, claims Generation Rent. A survey found nearly 75% of listings showed signs of fraud, following Meta’s guidelines. With rental scams up 23% last year, costing UK renters £9.4 million, scammers are posing as landlords, collecting deposits, and vanishing. A recent case saw a fraudster sentenced after taking thousands from families. The surge in scams highlights the risks renters face in today’s competitive market. #illegalsublet #airbnbfraud #facebookmarketplace #titlefraud #propertyfraud #fraud