Wire fraud in real estate involves scammers intercepting or redirecting funds during transactions, often by compromising email communications between parties.
Alarming Statistics
In Q1 2026, wire-related errors were identified in 6.92% of real estate transactions, highlighting an ongoing exposure to fraud and costly delays. Closing Protection Letter (CPL) discrepancies impacted 43.49% of transactions, underscoring widespread vulnerabilities in verification and data integrity across the closing process.
These fraud schemes are becoming rampant and everyday these criminals become more and more sophisticated. By engaging in routine, seemingly harmless communication, criminals bait users into giving their personal information or clicking a link that allows hackers to steal log-in information and passwords. Typically, a method called phishing in the form of email messages, website forms or phone calls is used to fraudulently collect personal information. When this personal information is obtained, the target is set and often times is used in attempts to gain access to wiring of funds.
Don’t become a victim of wire fraud! Education is key to prevention. This page’s purpose is to give you the knowledge and tools needed to recognize wire fraud attempts.
December 11 | National Association of REALTORS® More and more phishing scams are targeting real estate professionals and their clients, attempting to dupe you out of money. There are several
The following security tips can help you identify a compromised email account and prevent further exploitation.
Homebuyers beware: It takes the average single person 11 years to save for a down payment on a home, and in an instant it can be taken from you by hackers during your closing.
Follow these simple FBI recommended steps to protect yourself from fraudsters.
