First American Title Insurance Reviews

Another 3 weeks go by. I finally tell my lender to proceed with another title company. We ended up paying for 2 extension for our interest lock due to their lack of expertise. Our loan officer kept this escrow open until we got on board with another. I went with Pioneer Title and they had all in order in the first week with our close date! During this time there was absolutely not a word from First American on our close date after another 3 weeks. I closed escrow with Pioneer and still not a word. Bottom line they do not want your business if they actually have to use knowledge and experience or go the extra mile. Even when all is handed to them it's still too much. I've never dealt with such unprofessionalism during my course of purchasing multiple homes. If you want a stressful experience and like to waste your time and money call them.

My escrow office Darcy Presley was the worst. She says "oh we'll get a traveling notary to go there and get it done". I told her it does not work that way. All notaries have to have a clearance to go there, etc. Anyway due to her eleventh hour tactics my closing had to be delayed 15 days at a cost to me of $50 per day. Totally unprofessional. I never even got a settlement statement until the day I went for the closing. Even the wire she never sent the info. She said "our wiring instructions never change". Well that's great so just send it to me so I know what to do. I don't know how she keeps her job and if I had anything to do with it she would be fired. Plus she was no help in finding a notary.

I finally found one who had clearance and could go and get his signature. I also advised we could just close with joint ownership and I'd file the quit claim after the fact myself. Again no dice. If she had told me on day one of opening escrow that we needed a signed quit claim deed signed it could have happened and I would not be out $750. Do you think they offered to pay any of that money because it was their fault. Of course not, money grubbing title company. My final thing is if you are purchasing a house and they say the title company is First American Title, run for your life.

In April of 2019, a client asked me to use Palm Springs First American Title and Escrow for the sale of his 5-unit Apartment building. The seller agreed to provide seller financing detailed in “Exhibit A,” of the purchase contact. The loan was for 10 years with 3 major installment payments due the first 3 years. Unfortunately, the escrow officer forgot to include the 3 major installment payments totaling $161,705.70 when she drafted the note. The installment payments were clearly detailed and agreed on in Exhibit “A” of the purchase contract.

Fortunately, the buyer and I noticed the glaring mistake when the note was sent to us for review. The buyer and I emailed the escrow officer to correct it. She said she wasn’t able, and that we had to delay escrow and spend money on an attorney correct it. I convinced her it was unnecessary because all she had to do was reference and attach “Exhibit A” of the purchase agreement. She agreed and said she would take care of it. Unfortunately, when escrow closed, we saw that escrow forgot to correct the note. This meant that the seller was shorted $161,705.70. I immediately called escrow and respectfully asked her to correct her mistake. She refused. I asked her manager who also refused. I went all the way up the chain of command, they said I had to file an insurance claim with First American.

I spent a week researching and preparing a presentation with highlights, arrows and emails. I thought there was no way the legal department at First American could deny my claim this time since they were obviously at fault. I was wrong – it was denied, and their argument would insult the intelligence of a 6th grader. I filed an appeal which was also denied. I’m currently in the process of taking them to court in front of a judge, and not from an unscrupulous self-serving staff member of First Americans legal department.

While doing some background research on First American’s history with lawsuits and complaints, I found this website here with 46 negative complaints, and not 1 good one. In May of this year, it was revealed that First American left more than 885 million sensitive documents dating as far back as 2003 exposed online. The complaint suggests the members of the class affected by First American's data exposure could be in the millions, and the lawsuit is seeking over $5 million. In another recent class action lawsuit “Kirk v. First American Title Company,“ a judgement was awarded because the court found that First American was overcharging their customers with excessive fees. If you’re interested in forming another class action suit, contact me at **.

Mr. ** had a fraudulent lawsuit in CA after he had sold this LOSS to a collection company. The professional licenses, the Insurance licensing is a mockery of justice. This company has a license to steal your money & all your information. Call one of the companies that are listed as First American Title Insurance or his company, First American Financial; & see if you can complain. Good luck. This leader of fraud & manipulation should be hung, but no worries, CA Attorney General is handling 400 other cases who have been ripped off.

Sounds good, & all because they are not empowered to return your money or aid in any way. My letter from the Attorney General said "find an attorney to represent me". So please do not hire or let First American Title Insurance Co. or his First American Financial company handle any escrow or financial information. They are crooks & waited 8 years for my $62,328.00 & tax office certified that it was never owed. I would NOT get title insurance and take my chances without. And be told to hire an attorney. The Vice President is an attorney & furthermore, if you prove in court that you have money owed; guess what; Mr Dean ** is in charge of that fund as well. He has too much hacking power to allow.

Remember, if you have a problem or claim; you are able to call the same crook that did it to you. YES, I AM MAD AS HELL & DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BECAUSE FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE CO. TOOK MY RETIREMENT FUNDS & no one is EMPOWERED to return funds taken fraudulently. Probably not able to read. I'll probably get sued, but I am ready. No worry. These thieves know better. I am now 80 years old & have suffered since 2016. Do not wait for help to arrive, PLEASE, be careful because all crooks are not in jail. They are professional, licensed & set to take all your funds. They waited for 8 years & TX to CA gives them the advantage & maybe someday there will be a person licensed to make sure they are honest. Not likely, because lazy has become a familiar word. NO ONE WILL PROTECT YOU FROM THIS CROOK.

2nd investor was not Paid. Check cancelled IN ESCROW and HUD SAYS FBO FOR BENEFIT OF OTHER. First American Title issued the new owner a Title Policy. The new owner was foreclosed on 2nd buy, Paid 1/2 of first buyer $255.000.00. Title Search showed first investors still recorded on record. First American Title issued an indemnity saying they had the Deeds of Release. They were never produced and First American took one Investor to court to have them sign off saying that they intended to sign off. Then put a lien on their home in another state for court cost as the Judge In Prescott said the the Deeds of Trust were only good for 6 yrs. Arizona Law is 10 yrs. Arizona is the only state that a Title Co and partner with a Developer. First American Title was a partner with the Developer of Prescott Highland East in Prescott AZ. Trust 5055? Developer was partner with First American Trust Dept for this Development. Prescott Highland East.

Last week I went to pay the property taxes for the house and found out that the taxes are still in the previous owner’s name. I called First American Title Insurance company and asked why the taxes are in the previous owner’s name and was told that First American Title Insurance Company should have delivered the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) Affidavit to the city of Detroit Assessor's office. The closing agent also indicated that it was our responsibility after 45 days. I asked why they didn’t submit the affidavit and she informed me that sometimes the city of Detroit is behind. The closing agent sent me a copy of the affidavit. Now NOWHERE on this form does it indicate that the purchaser has 45 days to mail this form. I called the City of Detroit Assessor's office and told by a representative at the assessor’s office that it will cost $200.00 I was outside of the 45 day timeframe. The fine is $5.00 a day up to $200.00.

I immediately called First American Title Insurance Company to confirm that they delivered the $200.00 affidavit to the assessor’s office and they immediately placed the blame on me. I informed the representative that I was just told the day prior that the form had been sent and there was just a lag in Assessor's office processing time. She stated that they had no proof that the affidavit had been sent nor received.

It is disappointing that after paying all necessary fees and completing all documentation required on my end my home is still listed in the previous owner’s name 8 months after closing. First American Title offered no resolution and I dismissed to correct this issue on my own. Therefore, I am writing this review to let everyone know NOT to used First American Title Insurance Company for any residential or commercial purchases. We have purchased two houses in the past 12 months and we did not have this problem with the other title companies. BEWARE!

The only problem is that they are lying. You have to pay the Florida Documentary Sale Tax, which actually exists. Since you don't live conveniently near a clerk of court that covers your timeshare district to pay it, they will ask the buyer to pay it. You must send him the money via Western Union. My buyer is in the Dominican Republic. See the red flags yet? I saw them, but their reasoning was plausible enough to get me to go along. Still lots of talk of a FedEx package containing papers & a huge check. No papers, no emails,& when pressed to provide a tracking number things began to break down.

I was given a false number because there was no package. Then the tale changed. My deed was lost & they could find it for $400. Ok, they would split the cost & it would be just $200. The story then changed from lost deed to "registration". When I pushed back they stopped talking to me. So I have disputed the Western Union transaction & I am writing complaints. Neither one will do me any good, but if it will help another timeshare owner it is worth it. Avoid: Ashley **, Michael **, Kevin **, Newberry, FL, Dawson **, Felix **.

Original Review: March 28, 2018

I recently went through a home purchase where I was the buyer. First American initially gave an incorrect Preliminary Title Report to my mortgage company. When they finally got around to giving a correct one to the mortgage company (three days before my scheduled closing), it showed unreported issues on the title. Apparently there was a title transfer within 90 days which caused my mortgage company to delay closing since a 2nd appraisal was needed. I had to pay an additional $1k in costs due to 2nd appraisal and rate lock extension fees. The First American office was located in SE Portland. My title officer was William **.

My wife even question the wording of the title using "except all mineral rights" instead of "surface rights only" and was told that was the same thing and not to work about it. It only gets worse. We cannot bring action against First American Title Insurance because of the statute of limitations, because of Supreme Court Ruling, that we should have known at filing. Well, we never filed anything and took their word for it. They did the filing and we got screwed out of our mineral rights and retirement income. I have reached out to them by phone and email. They are no help. They know they messed up but are not communicating about this in any way. I guess the less they say the better for them.

We did the legwork and found an acceptable unit on sale for the lowest price anywhere on the market and closest to match our other kitchen appliances. We offered if they will pay the $218 (cost of the microwave we found) I would waive the delivery and installation fees. Not acceptable to them "have to follow policy" given to us again. Asked for manager... same story! First what do we pay insurance for? And we wonder why insurance companies get bad press!!! Sure hope I don't experience any other needs to use this policy. I would "not" recommend First American Title Insurance to anyone!!!

So, Mr. Dean **, VP First American Title had a concocted lien for taxes owed that had grown to $62,000.00. Oh yes, he settled for $40,000.00. I am 77 years old & needed to refinance. My husband has been gone since 4/8/2012 & he took advantage of me in this way. He is causing me severe depression. FATCO or Dean ** got more than I did through what I think was fraud. Re the lien: I told him that it was not I in court, because I was in CA on the same day in another FATCO office, signing papers with my deceased husband. Thus, it was not possible to be in a TX. court. He said "water over the dam".

A company called Extant Properties purchased the Hidden Springs property in TX through FATCO & that the court had issued a 'Release of Lien' which included April **, Bernard **, & Myself, Carol **. Why FATCO litigated & received judgment against me only & I was never notified. FATCO still took $40,000.00 because a Mr. ** from Athas Mortgage told him in a memo (I received in error) "go ahead with the lien because there was plenty there". Then, Mr. ** continued saying personal & rude remarks in this memo about me. I thought this was priviledged (client) information.

By taking 4 months to close I was deeper in financial ruin. I was coerced into signing the escrow papers for $22,000.00 because of Mr. ** & Mr. ** knowing each other previously & discussing my finances as well as opinions by Mr. **; re funds he could get from my refinance. It cost fees of $42,000.00 & $40,000.00 & I was only able to get a 10-1/2% rate because of the negativity discussed by Mr. ** (employee of Athas Mortgage) with FATCO's Mr. Dean **. They both should be fined or disciplined for causing me such hurtful, financially disastrous, & abusive pain. I was forced to seek medical help. My refinancing has left me in a horrible position. I must pay $3600/mo payments. How can this be done on my small SS check? How can licensed professionals be able to commit these acts that can cause me to lose my home?

As a senior citizen & unable to defend myself against this abuse, please help me redeem the unlawfully gained $40,000.00 ($62,000.00 originally) that could not have been taxes & there could never have been taxes in an escrow where Title Insurance was paid. At my age, and my health status, I may not have much time to recover the ill gotten gains if you cannot help. Thank you in advance for your help and/or attention to this matter. What I have described above is more reason(s) why Title companies are really not needed. When they get paid their fees (and they are expensive), When, where or how do they settle claims that are not in their favor? Why do we pay fees for Title Insurance? Many other FATCO clients claim their calls are never returned when there is a problem.

The first reason for "needing" Title Insurance is alledged taxes that have not been paid. The second is fraud or forgery, etc. The third is for a spouse or unknown heir who makes claim on property. In my case, I was told it was taxes not collected. Then the fraudulent behavior of discussing my available funds & Mr. **' negative remarks that were damaging & abusive & caused me to pay 10-1/2% ($3680.00/mo.) vs my old payment of $1145.00/mo. which was already difficult for me.

I am not sure why FATCO sued me for Extant Properties alleged tax problem (I got copies of this from the Bexar County Recorder's Office). The tax problem was fiction because the tax office said there were no taxes owed. They verified that taxes on my 5500 home that burned to the ground was taxed from 1/6/1990 until Extant Properties purchased the property. Bexar County could not reverse the over taxed amount & the taxes were paid. I need this money returned to me due to the fraudulent methods used by FATCO & compounded by Mr. **. I hope there is justice and a way for FATCO to return the $40,000.00.