Nate Hidalgo, Property Information Specialist for Chicago Title and Fidelity National Title in Vancouver, Washington, received a call from Jack Hammer, a timeshare owner. Jack explained he worked with Fidelity National Title Company in the past and was looking for an office that could assist him with an accommodation signing of the deed to his timeshare. He told Nate he was working with Anthony Martinez at Fidelity National Title in Denver, who contacted him about selling his timeshare in Cancun, Mexico.

Nate searched the global directory for Anthony Martinez but he did not find a match. He asked Jack for more information. Jack said Martinez called him stating they had a buyer, ABC Associates in Chicago, who was interested in buying his timeshare.

Jack was calling the office in Vancouver to inquire about two things. First, he wanted to find a Fidelity National Title office in Vancouver to handle the closing. Second, he wanted to verify Anthony Martinez worked for Fidelity National Title because there were a few things about his conversation with Martinez which made him uncomfortable.

Jack thought it was odd Fidelity was contacting him. Usually a title company is selected after the buyer and seller have successfully negotiated the purchase agreement. They are not usually involved in contacting owners on behalf of a buyer; that is what a real estate agent does. Second, Jack was not in the market to sell his timeshare so he was unsure why they thought to contact him.

Nate asked Jack if he had the contact information for Anthony Martinez and the Fidelity National Title office in Denver. Jack gave him the phone number for Martinez and the phone number for ABC Associates. Nate told Jack he would check into this further and get back to him.

Nate searched the phone number for Martinez using Google™. The search results included a website for FidelityTitle.org. He clicked on the link but the website was blocked by the Company server. Nate pulled out his cell phone and entered the link. The web page opened but it did not look like any Fidelity Company website he had seen before. Upon closer review he noticed several typos. Nate shared his findings with his colleague Beau Johnson.

Beau searched FidelityTitle.org and found they were a limited liability company formed in 2004. He picked up the phone and called the number on the website. Beau asked the woman who answered if they were affiliated with Fidelity National Financial, Inc. She said, "Yes, we are."

That is when Beau introduced himself as an employee of Fidelity National Title Company. As soon as he introduced himself the woman began back peddling stating she did not really know whether they were affiliated with FNF, Inc. or not, and just did not know what else to say.

Beau called Jack to let him know Fidelity Title, LLC was not affiliated with Fidelity National Title in any way. He suggested to Jack he contact our FNF Timeshare division in Escondido, California, if and when he had a bona fide buyer for his timeshare. Jack thanked him and hung up the phone.

The Company does handle timeshare sales through Fidelity National Timeshare but they do not negotiate or put deals together. They handle the paperwork and money to consummate timeshare transactions already negotiated.

Jack's story did not feel right. Nate and Beau were concerned, and for good reason. They knew the details Jack shared did not fit with the Company's business model. They took the time to confirm their suspicions and protect a customer from being ripped off. For their efforts they are splitting the $1,500 reward. Way to go gentlemen! Thank you for your efforts to protect the Company's excellent reputation and good name. The Company was successful in getting the FidelityTitle.org fraudulent website taken down by the web host.