American Identity Group Emerges as Leading Wholesale Provider of Identity Protection in Real Estate Space
American Identity Group has transformed from its roots in publishing to become a powerhouse in identity theft protection. In a recent interview, James Harkins, alongside colleague Will Smith, shared insights into how this 35-year-old company pivoted from serving the magazine and newspaper industry to becoming a leader in identity protection services, particularly in the real estate sector.
The company’s evolution is remarkable. After decades in publishing, the company recognized the shifting digital landscape and made a bold move into identity protection 13 years ago. Initially competing with retail giants like LifeLock in the direct-to-consumer space, the company built impressive operational capacity, now handling over 18,000 customer calls weekly through their specialized call centers. Six years ago, they identified an untapped opportunity in the wholesale market, particularly within real estate-related services.
“What we’re selling, really is time,” explains Harkins. “Anyone can once they’ve been breached call credit card companies, banks, the IRS. We just happen to have an expertise, and we have a unit that is dedicated to identity recovery.” This expertise has proven particularly valuable in the real estate sector, where identity theft can have devastating consequences.
The real-world risks are substantial. As Harkins illustrates, “Someone hacks in, and they change the name on my title. They submit HELOC paperwork to a credit union, and next thing you know, I’m having $50,000 of home equity taken out of my property.” To combat these threats, the company’s service includes comprehensive title monitoring across 3,100 counties in the United States, complemented by web and dark web surveillance for broader identity protection.
Their integration into the real estate ecosystem is comprehensive, spanning title companies, mortgage providers, and home warranty services. The company’s technology infrastructure includes sophisticated monitoring systems and a branded email journey that keeps customers informed about their protection status. They’ve also expanded their security offerings to include VPN services and keystroke monitoring, adapting to evolving cyber threats.
The partnership model offers significant flexibility. “Some of our partners are giving it away. It’s a very reasonable cost, but other partners are marking it up. So it’s a revenue stream,” Harkins notes. This adaptability has proven particularly attractive to title companies seeking innovation in an industry that, as Harkins points out, “hasn’t really had anything innovative since title has been around for 75 or 100 years.”
A recent breakthrough with their insurance partner has substantially expanded American Identity Group’s capabilities. “What’s new with that policy is that now we can offer a standalone title protection program,” Harkins explains. “Our insurance policy will now respond in the event that someone suffers any kind of a financial loss.” This development opens new opportunities across the real estate sector, allowing partners to offer targeted protection at an accessible price point.
The evolution of cyber threats makes such protection increasingly crucial. “It’s not so much that the technology has changed. It’s that so many more individuals are getting into the identity theft business… on the wrong side of it,” Harkins quips. This proliferation of cybercrime has made identity protection a necessity rather than a luxury, particularly in high-value real estate transactions.
American Identity Group continues to expand its reach, moving into new markets including the automotive F&I space while strengthening its core real estate services. Their comprehensive family coverage model means that when a consumer purchases protection through any of their partners, every resident at that address receives full identity theft monitoring and restoration services.
“We are the largest identity theft protection company in the wholesale space,” says Harkins, distinguishing the company’s position from retail-focused competitors. Partners can choose to offer American Identity Group’s services either as a white-label solution or through co-branded arrangements, providing flexibility in how protection is presented to end users.
As the real estate industry continues to grapple with evolving identity theft threats, American Identity Group’s comprehensive approach – combining family coverage, title monitoring, and financial protection – offers a compelling solution for industry partners seeking to both protect their clients and enhance their service offerings. Their continuous innovation and adaptability position them well to address emerging challenges in the digital security landscape.
