Common Characteristics of an Identity Fraud

• The fraudster tries to convince you that there is a plausible reason why identification cannot be produced (e.g., it was stolen; left in another town).
• The fraudster uses you or someone else in the firm for some other smaller transaction (for example a will; incorporation) and thereby induces you into believing you know them.
• The name of your client is not quite identical to the name on the title, but the client convinces you it is "close enough" (e.g., there are a lot of Robert Smiths in New Brunswick and Robert Smith very well may not be Robert F. Smith).
• The borrower or owner is not the registered owner of the property but a power of attorney is being used.
• You are asked to contact the client exclusively through a cell phone, or somehow all the communication is being "managed" by the client.
• You are asked to send documents to an address other than the one shown on title even though the client claims to live there.
• The deal must be closed quickly.
• Where property is jointly owned, only one of two owners has identification.