Privacy Policy

PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE

Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) generally requires financial institutions to provide notice of their privacy policies and practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of nonpublic personal information.

This Privacy Notice describes the policies and practices of Attleboro Abstract Company Inc.​​ (“Company”) regarding the collection, use, and protection of personal information obtained in connection with real estate settlement, title insurance, and related services. The Company does not sell nonpublic personal information to third parties.

This notice applies to customers, borrowers, buyers, sellers, and former clients.

INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We may collect nonpublic personal information from the following sources:

• Information provided by you on applications, closing documents, or other forms
• Information related to your real estate transaction, including title, payoff, and settlement data
• Information received from lenders, real estate agents, settlement service providers, or consumer reporting agencies
• Publicly recorded property or financial information
• Communication records related to your transaction

Unless otherwise stated in a revised Privacy Notice, no additional nonpublic personal information will be collected.

HOW INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED

We may disclose information as permitted or required by law to entities that perform services necessary to complete or support your transaction.

Disclosure may occur to:

• Title insurance underwriters (“Underwriters”), including current and future underwriting partners
• Financial service providers, insurance providers, and settlement vendors
• Real estate agents, lenders, conveyancers, and transaction participants
• Governmental, regulatory, or law enforcement authorities when required
• Lienholders, judgment creditors, or parties asserting an interest in property title

We do not disclose nonpublic personal information for purposes not permitted by law.

THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS AND FRAUD PREVENTION

The Company utilizes third-party technology and compliance platforms to support identity verification, secure communications, and fraud prevention.

Identity verification services may include the use of ClosingLock or similar security platforms.

Transaction compliance, reporting support, and data organization functions may utilize systems such as AgentTrax.

Information may be shared with service providers performing settlement, compliance, marketing, or secure document delivery functions.

FINANCIAL CRIMES COMPLIANCE AND DATA REPORTING

The Company may collect, maintain, and report information as required to comply with federal financial crimes prevention laws and regulations, including guidance issued by Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). This may include the collection and retention of customer, transaction, and beneficial ownership information when required for regulatory compliance, fraud prevention, or reporting obligations.

Client acknowledges that certain information may be shared with authorized regulatory authorities or compliance systems as required by law. The Company does not collect or disclose information beyond what is reasonably necessary to satisfy applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP AND ENTITY VERIFICATION DISCLOSURE

When applicable, the Company may collect beneficial ownership information, entity control information, and related identification data necessary to comply with federal, state, or regulatory reporting requirements.

Client acknowledges that entity transactions, trust arrangements, and business ownership structures may require additional verification in accordance with guidance issued by Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or other applicable regulatory authorities.

Client agrees to provide accurate beneficial ownership information upon request and understands that failure to provide required verification information may result in delays in transaction processing.

The Company does not collect or retain beneficial ownership information beyond what is reasonably necessary for legal, regulatory, or underwriting compliance.

WIRE FRAUD AND PAYMENT SECURITY

Wire instructions will be provided only through verified and secure communication channels.

Clients should never rely solely on wire instructions received through unsecured email or unauthorized communications.

Clients must independently verify any wire instructions with the Company prior to transmitting funds.

The Company is not responsible for losses resulting from funds sent to incorrect or unverified wire instructions that were not confirmed directly with the Company.

CLIENT DATA ACCURACY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Client is responsible for providing accurate and complete information to the Company, including names, contact information, property information, payoff instructions, and account details.

The Company shall not be liable for losses, delays, or additional costs arising from inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information supplied by Client or other parties involved in the transaction, except to the extent caused by the Company’s negligence or willful misconduct.

MUNICIPAL, UTILITY, AND POST-CLOSING MATTERS

Client acknowledges responsibility for verifying municipal, utility, and account information prior to closing.

The Company makes reasonable efforts to obtain and transmit final billing information from utility providers when such information is available.

The Company is not responsible for additional charges, adjustments, or post-closing billing statements issued by utility providers after settlement.

Post-closing utility or municipal billing remains the responsibility of the account holder unless otherwise required by transaction instructions.

Any funds returned to the Company by utility providers will be forwarded to the appropriate party.

PHILADELPHIA MUNICIPAL DISCLOSURE

The City of Philadelphia Water Revenue Bureau may require presentation of a Closing Disclosure or Settlement Statement to update account records.

Client is responsible for delivering required documentation to the Water Revenue Bureau if necessary.

The Company is not responsible for billing or account issues arising from failure to provide required documentation.

The Company assumes no liability for incorrect water meter readings, failure to obtain readings, or adjustment disputes between transaction parties.

PHILADELPHIA GAS WORKS DISCLOSURE

The Company makes reasonable efforts to obtain accurate final billing information from Philadelphia Gas Works.

Because PGW records are not publicly accessible, the Company relies on information provided by PGW representatives and transaction participants.

The Company is not responsible for additional charges, adjustments, or post-closing balances issued by PGW after settlement.

USE AND OCCUPANCY / MUNICIPAL CODE COMPLIANCE

The Company assumes no responsibility for matters related to municipal licensing, inspections, use and occupancy certifications, or property code violations.

Any required repairs, corrections, or associated costs are the responsibility of the Buyer or Seller as applicable.

Known violation information received by the Company may be disclosed to real estate agents involved in the transaction for client notification purposes.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND IDENTITY VERIFICATION

Client consents to electronic communication for transmission of settlement statements, policy information, tax forms, and transaction documentation.

Electronic communications may carry inherent security risks, including unauthorized access.

Identity verification and secure transaction services may be conducted through third-party platforms.

Client agrees to reasonably cooperate with identity verification procedures.

Client consents to text messages when necessary unless the client submits in writing that they would like to opt out of text messages.

THIRD-PARTY SERVICE AND COMMUNICATION LIMITATION

The Company utilizes third-party technology platforms to assist in transaction processing, compliance monitoring, and secure communication.

The Company is not responsible for delays, service interruptions, or failures caused by third-party systems, internet connectivity issues, email delivery failures, or vendor platform outages beyond the Company’s reasonable control.

REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION AND ELECTRONIC EXECUTION CONSENT

If offered and permitted by law, Client may voluntarily participate in remote online notarization or electronic execution services.

Identity verification procedures may include government identification review, authentication protocols, and video/audio session participation.

Remote notarization sessions may be recorded or retained as required by law.

The Company makes no warranty regarding third-party remote notarization technology performance.

Client acknowledges technological risks associated with electronic execution and remote notarization processes.

REGULATORY, UNDERWRITER, AND SETTLEMENT INSTRUCTION COMPLIANCE

Settlement services and title insurance issuance are performed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and underwriting instructions.

In the event of conflict between client instructions, lender instructions, or underwriting requirements, the Company may follow regulatory or underwriting directives necessary to complete or preserve the transaction.

The Company shall not be liable for delays or administrative adjustments resulting from compliance with legal or underwriting requirements except where caused by Company negligence or willful misconduct.

RECORD RETENTION AND COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT

The Company maintains transaction, settlement, and compliance records in accordance with applicable federal, state, regulatory, and underwriting record retention requirements.

Client acknowledges that certain records may be retained for audit, regulatory, underwriting, or legal compliance purposes for the period required by law or industry standards.

The Company reserves the right to maintain internal compliance records necessary to demonstrate adherence to regulatory, underwriting, and fraud prevention obligations.

DATA SECURITY INCIDENT RESPONSE NOTICE

In the event of a suspected or confirmed unauthorized access, data breach, or security incident involving nonpublic personal information, the Company will respond in accordance with applicable federal and state data security laws and regulatory guidance.

The Company maintains internal procedures designed to detect, investigate, and mitigate security incidents involving protected information. If required by law, regulatory directive, or underwriting requirement, the Company may provide notice of a security incident to affected individuals, regulatory authorities, or other parties as required.

Client acknowledges that while the Company employs commercially reasonable physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect personal information, no system can guarantee absolute security against unauthorized access.

The Company is not liable for damages resulting from security incidents caused by factors beyond the Company’s reasonable control, except to the extent caused by the Company’s negligence or willful misconduct.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the total liability of the Company, its employees, agents, and underwriters for any claim arising out of settlement services, information handling, document transmission, or transaction processing shall be limited to the amount of fees paid to the Company for the specific transaction giving rise to the claim, except to the extent caused by the Company’s negligence or willful misconduct.

 “No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.” 

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

This Privacy and Compliance Notice may be amended periodically to remain compliant with applicable law and regulatory guidance.

This Notice is provided in accordance with applicable privacy and financial services regulatory requirements.