Tips & Fraud Awareness

Don't Let Criminals Steal Your Dream Home

Wire fraud in real estate closings is skyrocketing. One mistake could cost you everything.

Learn the 5 critical safeguards that protect your hard-earned money.

Social Media = Open Invitation to Fraudsters

The Threat: Criminals actively monitor social media for posts about house hunting and home purchases. They're gathering intel about your closing to intercept your transaction.

🎯 What They’re Looking For:
• Posts about “house hunting”
• Photos of properties you’re viewing
• Mentions of closing dates or your real estate team
• Any details about your home purchase timeline

Your Defense: Keep your home purchase completely off social media until after closing. Share your excitement with close friends and family privately—not publicly where criminals are watching.

Wiring Instructions NEVER Change

The Scam: Fraudsters hijack email accounts and send fake "updated" wiring instructions that look completely legitimate. The money goes straight to their offshore account.

🚨 RED FLAG ALERT: If you receive ANY change to wiring instructions—even if it looks official—assume fraud immediately. Period. No exceptions.

Why Would Wiring Instructions Actually Change? They wouldn’t. Attorneys don’t just switch IOLTA accounts mid-deal. It’s a massive administrative hassle with virtually no legitimate reason to do it.

Your Defense: If you get “updated” wiring instructions:

Immediate Action Steps:

Stop. Do NOT wire money.
Look up the attorney's phone number independently on Google—NOT from the email.
Call the verified number and speak directly to someone at the firm.
Only proceed after verbal confirmation using the ORIGINAL instructions.

Never Close Before a 3-Day Weekend

The Criminal's Strategy: Fraudsters specifically target Friday closings before holiday weekends. Why? They get an extra day (or two) to move your money overseas before anyone notices.

The Timeline of Theft:

Friday 4pm: You wire $200,000 to fake account
Friday 5pm: Banks close for the long weekend
Friday 6pm-Monday: Money gets transferred multiple times, ends up overseas
Tuesday 9am: You discover the fraud—too late to reverse

Your Defense: Schedule closings for Tuesday through Thursday. Give yourself same-day verification and next-business-day response time if something goes wrong.

Confirm Receipt Immediately After Wiring

The 24-Hour Window: You have a short window to reverse a fraudulent wire transfer—but only if you catch it fast.

Your Verification Protocol:

Within 30 minutes of sending the wire: Call the attorney's office using a verified phone number to confirm receipt.
If they haven't received it: Contact your bank immediately to attempt reversal.
Get confirmation in writing:Request email confirmation that funds were received into the correct trust account.

Remember: Wires can be reversed, but time is everything. Every hour that passes makes recovery exponentially harder.

The Attorney Should Call YOU When Sending Money

Standard Best Practice: Professional closing attorneys call you when they're about to wire your proceeds. Any delay beyond closing day without explanation is a major warning sign.

Expected Timeline: Funds should be wired the same day as closing unless there’s a documented delay (like the mortgage company didn’t send funds on time).

What You Should Expect:

Call from attorney's office before wiring your proceeds
Clear communication about exact timing
Immediate explanation if there's any delay
Confirmation call or email once funds are sent

Red Flag: If days pass after closing with no communication about your money, call immediately using a verified phone number.

Common Questions About Wire Fraud Protection

How do criminals get access to real estate emails?

Fraudsters use sophisticated phishing attacks targeting realtors, mortgage brokers, and closing attorneys. They create fake login pages or send malicious attachments that steal email credentials. Once inside, they monitor conversations and wait for the perfect moment to send fake wiring instructions.

How realistic do the fake emails look?

Extremely realistic. Criminals copy email signatures, logos, formatting, and even mimic writing styles. They often hack the actual email account, so the message comes from the legitimate address. This is why you must ALWAYS verify by phone using an independently confirmed number.

Can I get my money back if I fall victim to wire fraud?

Recovery is difficult but not impossible if you act within hours. Contact your bank immediately to request a wire recall. Also contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and file a report. The faster you act, the better your chances. However, prevention is far better than attempted recovery.

Is title insurance enough to protect me?

Title insurance typically does NOT cover wire fraud losses—this is a critical gap most buyers don't realize until it's too late. You must actively protect yourself by following these verification protocols. Your vigilance is your best insurance.

What if I'm closing remotely and can't call in person?

Remote closings require even more caution. Always use video calls (not just phone) for verbal confirmation of wiring instructions. Verify you're speaking with the actual person by having them show ID on camera. Never rely solely on email for any financial instructions.

Questions About Your Closing?

Our team is here to ensure your transaction is secure from start to finish.

Call Us Now: (770) 393-4757

Don’t take chances with the biggest purchase of your life. Let’s talk through your closing security together.