FBI Cybercrime Report shows need for more real estate protection

According to the FBI 2025 Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report, last year recorded more than $20.8 billion in cybercrime losses. Of that, $275.1 million accounted for real estate fraud losses, an astonishing uptick from $173 million in 2024.

Older customers continue to remain the most vulnerable population with $7.748 billion in losses from Americans 60 and older. A new and rising concern is AI fraud.  The report accounted for an estimated 22,364 AI-related complaints leading to over $893.3 million in losses.

The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry indicated that the FBI Cybercrime Report strengthens the necessity of title professionals. The association represents an estimated 17,000 title insurance companies and cites the need for transaction safeguards.

“Fraud is not a side issue in housing; it is part of the affordability story,” said Chris Morton, chief executive officer of ALTA. “The FBI’s latest data shows real estate fraud is growing in a threat environment shaped by impersonation, business email compromise and AI-enabled deception. As losses rise, removing safeguards does not eliminate costs; it shifts them to consumers, lenders, insurers and the broader housing finance system.”