Real Talk: Wire Fraud in Real Estate—What You Need to Know

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial transactions most people will ever make—and unfortunately, that makes it a prime target for scammers. One of the fastest-growing threats in real estate is wire fraud, and it’s something every buyer and seller should be aware of.

💡 What Is Wire Fraud?

Wire fraud in real estate typically involves a scammer intercepting or impersonating communication between parties—like your agent, escrow officer, or lender—and tricking someone into wiring money to a fraudulent account. These scams often happen right before closing, when large sums are being transferred.

🧍‍♀️ My Personal Experience

I’ll never forget the moment I got a call from the title company around 10 p.m. The buyers had wired their money—nearly $500,000—but the title company never received it.

The buyer had received an email with wire instructions that looked legitimate, but the sender’s email address wasn’t actually from the title company. Without realizing it, they had wired their funds to a fraudulent offshore account. The money was then split into multiple accounts, making it extremely difficult to trace.

It took over a month of intense investigation, but thankfully, almost all of the money was recovered and returned to the buyer. They were ultimately able to purchase the home—but it was a terrifying and stressful experience for everyone involved.

🔒 How to Protect Yourself

Here are a few simple steps to stay safe:

1. Always verify wire instructions by phone using a trusted number—not one from an email.
2. Be cautious with email—especially if it contains urgent requests or last-minute changes.
3. Use secure communication channels when sharing sensitive information.
4. Look for red flags like misspellings, odd formatting, or unfamiliar sender addresses.

🛡️ What I Do to Help Protect My Clients

That experience changed how I approach every transaction. I now work closely with trusted escrow and title professionals who use secure systems and protocols. I also make sure my clients know exactly what to expect—so if something seems off, they’ll know to pause and verify.

📞 Questions? Let’s Talk.

If you’re buying or selling and want to make sure your transaction is secure, I’m here to help. Reach out anytime—I’m happy to walk you through the process and connect you with resources to keep your money safe.