Protect Your Money
Wire fraud is the #1 financial threat facing homebuyers. Criminals stole $275.1 million from real estate transactions in 2025 alone.
Protect Your Money
Don't Become a Victim
Real estate wire fraud is rising fast — fueled by AI, deepfakes, and business email compromise. This page explains how the scam works, the 5 safeguards you must follow, and exactly what to do if you suspect you're being targeted. Share this with everyone involved in your transaction.
Real Wire Fraud Timeline: How Fast It Happens
Fake Email Sent
Criminal sends spoofed wiring instructions
Funds Wired
Buyer wires money to fraudulent account
Money Moved Overseas
Funds layered through multiple accounts internationally
Recovery Drops to ~10%
Most funds are already beyond reach
Less Than 5% Recovery
Funds are effectively gone
Source: FBI IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report, CertifID 2026 State of Wire Fraud Report
Critical Warning
NEVER wire money based solely on instructions received via email.
Criminals use email spoofing, hacked accounts, and AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate title companies. Once money is wired to a criminal, recovery is extremely difficult.
How Wire Fraud Works
Click any step to see the full breakdown. Each stage escalates — once funds are wired, recovery becomes nearly impossible.
5 Safeguards to Protect Yourself
Call to Verify
ALWAYS confirm wiring instructions by phone using a number you already have — NEVER use a number from an email.
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Stay Alert for Changes
Be extremely suspicious of any email that changes wiring instructions, especially close to closing.
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Forward, Don't Reply
Use FORWARD and manually type the recipient's address to prevent criminals from intercepting the thread.
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Verify with Your Bank
Ask your bank to verify the account name matches the intended recipient before wiring.
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Confirm Receipt Immediately
After wiring, call your title company right away. Recovery drops from 20% to under 5% after 48 hours.
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How to Tell Legitimate from Fraudulent Communications
Criminals are sophisticated — their emails can look nearly identical to real ones. Here are the key differences to watch for:
Legitimate Title Company
- - Will NEVER send wiring instructions solely by email
- - Provides wire details in person or via secure portal with MFA
- - Uses a consistent, verified email domain (not free email like Gmail)
- - Will happily confirm details by phone if you call THEIR number
- - Will NEVER rush you or pressure last-minute changes
- - Uses wire verification technology like CertifID or Closinglock
- - Has adopted ALTA Best Practices for cybersecurity
Fraudulent Communication
- - Sends "updated" wire instructions via email, especially close to closing
- - Email domain is slightly misspelled (e.g., @titIe-company.com with an I instead of l)
- - Creates urgency: "Must wire today or closing will be delayed"
- - Provides a phone number IN the email (which they control)
- - Account name on wire doesn't match the title company
- - Changes bank or account number from what was previously provided
- - May use AI-generated deepfake voice or video to impersonate agents
What Your Title Company Should Be Doing
When choosing a title company, ask about their fraud prevention practices. Companies that follow ALTA Best Practices (Pillar 3: Privacy and Data Security) should have robust measures in place. Here's what to look for:
Wire Verification Technology
Companies using platforms like CertifID or Closinglock can verify both the sender's and recipient's identity and bank account before funds are transferred.
Multi-Factor Authentication
All email accounts, client portals, and systems should require MFA. If your title company doesn't use MFA on their email, they're a liability.
Encrypted Communication
Sensitive documents and financial details should be shared through encrypted portals — not plain email attachments.
Employee Training
Staff should be trained to recognize BEC attacks, social engineering, and deepfake attempts. Ask if they conduct regular cybersecurity training.
Cyber Insurance
Ask if the company carries errors & omissions insurance and cybersecurity insurance that covers wire fraud incidents.
Verbal Verification Policy
A good company will have a documented process requiring phone verification of wire instructions using a pre-established number.
If You're a Victim: Recovery Timeline
Speed is everything. The FBI reports that the likelihood of recovering funds drops dramatically over time. Here's the data from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3):
~20%
Recovery rate
Within 1 hour
~10%
Recovery rate
Within 24 hours
<5%
Recovery rate
After 48 hours
Immediate Steps If You Suspect Fraud
Contact your bank immediately
Request a wire recall. Provide the transaction reference number, amount, date, and receiving bank details. Ask to speak to the fraud department.
Call your title company
Use a number you already have on file — NOT a number from a suspicious email. Alert them that funds may have been misdirected.
File with the FBI's IC3
Go to ic3.gov and file a detailed complaint. Include all emails, wire confirmations, account numbers, and communication records. The FBI coordinates with financial institutions for asset recovery.
File with FinCEN if applicable
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network tracks suspicious financial activity. Filing helps law enforcement identify patterns and networks.
Contact local law enforcement
File a police report with all documentation. You may need this for insurance claims or civil proceedings.
Document everything
Screenshot all emails, save headers, note phone numbers and times of calls. This evidence is critical for investigation and potential recovery.
Source: FBI IC3 2025 Report, CertifID 2026 State of Wire Fraud Report, ALTA Best Practices Pillar 3, NAR Consumer Guide on Wire Fraud
