Protect Yourself From Wire Fraud

Wire fraud in real estate is real, and it targets people at the most vulnerable stage of buying or selling a home. You’ve done everything right—found the property, negotiated the deal, you’re days from closing—and then an email shows up with wire instructions that look official. The logo’s right. The language is convincing. But something’s off. That hesitation, if you catch it, is what saves you.

I want to walk you through how this actually happens, and what I do with every client to keep it from happening to you.

What wire fraud in real estate looks like

Wire fraud happens when criminals get into email communications between real estate professionals, clients, and title companies. They monitor the transaction, mimic the people involved, and at the right moment send altered wiring instructions. Once funds are sent, they’re gone—recovery is rare. You could lose your down payment, your closing costs, or the full purchase price. It’s not an exaggeration, and it’s happening more often, not less.

The problem with assuming it won’t happen to you

Wire fraud thrives on that assumption. Buyers and sellers often figure they’re too careful to fall for it, or that their agent and title company already have systems in place to catch it. But the scam usually isn’t aimed at tricking the professionals—it’s aimed at tricking you, in one distracted moment on one rushed day. That’s all it takes.

I take this seriously with every client I work with, which is why I build wire fraud protection into how I handle every transaction, not just when someone asks about it.

How I help you stay safe

I walk you through the financial side of every transaction personally. You’ll never get last-minute wire instructions from an unfamiliar address without knowing exactly who sent them and why. Specifically, I make sure you:

Know who your escrow officer is, what their contact information looks like, and how to confirm their identity.
Use secure, encrypted communication whenever sensitive information is shared.
Verify all wire instructions with a direct phone call to a number you already have—never just by replying to an email.
Know in advance when wire instructions will be sent and what to expect, so anything unexpected is an immediate red flag.

I keep my team small and directly involved for this reason. You’re not passed between a dozen people where a warning sign can get lost in the handoff.

Why this matters more now

Real estate has moved further online—remote closings, digital documentation, electronic signatures—and that convenience has created more opportunity for fraud along with it. A real estate closing isn’t something to treat casually just because most of it happens over email and screens. I try to balance the convenience of modern tools with the same vigilance I’d want if I were wiring my own money.

Closing should be something to celebrate, not something to fear

A good closing should feel like a win, not a tightrope walk. When you work with me, you get a team that’s paying attention to this from day one of the transaction, not just when you ask.

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