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Re Anon 25.7.18 @ 13:00, HM Land Registry's Property Alert is a largely automated system. You receive an alert if someone applies for an official search, or makes an application, against the relevant title. For more information see https://propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk/ for more information.

Re Anon 25.7.18 @ 14:39 - obtaining an official copy documents (such as the transfer to the seller, and any mortgage of the seller) to check signatures) is probably a sensible step; it won't cost a fortune (£3 per document, if applying through HMLR's Business Gateway or Portal, and you could do it at the same time as applying for official copies of the title and plan if acting for the seller) and the outlay of, say, £6 is extremely modest in relation to the total conveyancing costs.

And yes, Anon 24.7.18 @ 14:26, a much more secure system of identity verification is needed - for all purposes, not just HMLR - with a unique citizen ID number and maybe linked to genetic data. For those who fear invasion of privacy, just think about how many organisations hold personal information about you (GDPR notwithstanding) and how many have suffered data breaches or data theft, and the consequences of that.