05/16/2026
FRAUD ALERT from Broker's Title and Closing LLC:
If you’re on fire… stop, drop, and roll.
If you’re about to send a wire… stop, think, and verify.
As we head into the busy real estate season, I wanted to send a quick reminder that fraudsters are always improving their tactics; and they are counting on busy professionals and stressed clients to let their guard down.
Real estate wire fraud losses grew 59% in 2025, reaching over $275 million.* Even more alarming, the FBI estimates that 42% of wire fraud losses are never recovered.
During these busy months, fraudsters are hoping they can catch someone distracted, rushed, or vulnerable. Please continue reminding your clients to slow down and verify everything before sending funds.
Some common red flags include:
• Last-minute changes to wire instructions
• Instructions marked “RUSH” or “URGENT”
• Emails requesting different account numbers late in the transaction
• Strange explanations like:
“We don’t know what the international exchange rate will be, so overfund the account.”
“We recently deposited a bad check, so we had to change banks.”
“I am in a closing right now and don’t have access to my phone.”
• Emails with slight spelling changes or suspicious email addresses
• Requests to communicate only by email
Please remind your clients to ALWAYS verify wire instructions by calling a known, trusted phone number, not the phone number listed in the email. Use a verified number from a company website, Google search, or prior trusted communication.
If wire fraud does happen, act immediately:
Alert your bank right away
Contact local authorities or the nearest FBI field office
File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center:
IC3.gov
As always, if anything feels off, trust your instincts and pick up the phone to verify. A two-minute phone call can save thousands of dollars and prevent a nightmare situation for your clients.
Stay safe out there everyone!
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