{"id":12193,"date":"2025-10-16T21:19:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T21:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/?p=12193"},"modified":"2025-10-16T21:19:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T21:19:35","slug":"real-estate-wire-fraud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/extortion\/real-estate-wire-fraud\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Estate Wire Fraud \u2013 How to Protect Yourself, Prevent It and Stop Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Wire fraud in real estate is one of the fastest-growing financial crimes targeting homebuyers, sellers, and escrow agents. Learn how to spot, prevent, and recover from these scams with expert insights and professional investigative support.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagine being a first-time homebuyer desperately seeking a house. After months of looking, deals falling through, and inspections revealing major defects that extended your search, you find the perfect house. The seller\u2019s agent pressures you to pay the closing costs and down payment immediately. They send you instructions in an email on how to wire the money needed for closing. However, what you didn\u2019t know was that the last email was actually sent by a hacker, and the money you sent was routed to them instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research from wire fraud prevention firm <a href=\"https:\/\/www.certifid.com\/state-of-wire-fraud\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CertifID<\/a> found that over a quarter of homebuyers and sellers are targeted by wire fraud attempts, and nearly 5% fall victim. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic3.gov\/AnnualReport\/Reports#2025_IC3Report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)<\/a>, annual losses from real estate fraud have increased over the last three years, eclipsing $275 million in 2025. It\u2019s crucial for all potential homebuyers and sellers to understand the potential risks of real estate wire fraud, common tactics used in these schemes, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/software\/report-cybercrime-private-investigator\/\">how to report the cybercrime<\/a> and protect your purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-real-estate-wire-fraud\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Real_Estate_Wire_Fraud\"><\/span>What is Real Estate Wire Fraud?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Real estate wire fraud targets financial transactions during property purchases. Cybercriminals trick buyers into sending money to fraudulent bank accounts. This can occur in various ways. However, scammers often strike right before closing, using a wire transfer as a payment method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These schemes are common because of the high monetary value of real estate transactions. Modern adversaries leverage deceptive tactics to trick the buyer into believing that they are communicating with the seller\u2019s agent or title company. In actuality, they are communicating with a scammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-wire-fraud-target-real-estate-transactions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Wire_Fraud_Target_Real_Estate_Transactions\"><\/span>How Does Wire Fraud Target Real Estate Transactions?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In real estate transactions, attackers find a pending sale and build profiles of the parties involved. These include real estate agents, sellers, and buyers. This is commonly done in one of two different ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Business Email Compromise (BEC)<\/strong>. A scammer may pose as the seller or agent to trick a buyer into wiring funds to a fraudulent account. Common tactics include:<ul><li>Email spoofing.<\/li><li>Impersonation.<\/li><li>Social engineering.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Email Account Compromise (EAC)<\/strong>. A criminal could compromise the account of a buyer, seller, or agent to gain unauthorized access. This often includes:<ul><li>Credential theft.<\/li><li>Mailbox monitoring.<\/li><li>Malware attacks.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regardless of the fraudster\u2019s entry method, the goal is to deliver false wire instructions that can divert funds, closing costs, and even mortgage payoff deposits. Doing so deprives a lawful recipient of receiving the funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-real-estate-wire-fraud-works\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Real_Estate_Wire_Fraud_Works\"><\/span>How Real Estate Wire Fraud Works<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These scams typically begin when a cybercriminal gains unauthorized access to the account of a party involved in a real estate transaction, such as a buyer or a real estate agent. Once they have access, they secretly monitor email exchanges to identify ongoing real estate transactions. They wait for an opportune time to strike, which is typically at closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scammers will then spoof the email of a party involved in the transaction to trick the buyer into sending a payment to the wrong account. For example, a criminal may change one character in a real estate agent\u2019s email address and send fraudulent wiring instructions to a first-time homebuyer. Scammers will replicate the email address, messaging, official signature, and closing costs needed to gain the buyer\u2019s trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-common-real-estate-wire-fraud-scenarios\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Real_Estate_Wire_Fraud_Scenarios\"><\/span>Common Real Estate Wire Fraud Scenarios<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fake \u201cupdated payment instructions\u201d emails<\/strong>. These emails often come in the closing hours of a real estate transaction. A scammer becomes privy to a pending purchase and intercedes at the last minute with instructions to wire funds to a fraudulent account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compromised realtor or escrow email accounts<\/strong>. In some cases, a criminal may gain unauthorized access to the legitimate communication channels of the parties involved in a real estate sale. They can use this access to send manipulated wiring instructions that appear legitimate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fraudulent \u201crefund\u201d or \u201cfee adjustment\u201d requests<\/strong>. Scammers may reach out to potential buyers and explain that a change has been made in the closing cost of a property and ask for an additional payment. In other cases, they may claim an overcharge occurred and request information to \u201cprocess a refund.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure>\n  <picture>\n    <!-- Mobile image -->\n    <source\n      srcset=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/How-to-Prevent-Wire-Fraud-in-Real-Estate-1-scaled.jpg\"\n      media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"\n    >\n\n    <!-- Desktop fallback (required) -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\"\n      src=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/How-to-Prevent-Wire-Fraud-in-Real-Estate-scaled.jpg\"\n      alt=\"How to Prevent Wire Fraud in Real Estate\"\n      style=\"width:100%; height:auto;\"\n    >\n  <\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-factors-that-contribute-to-real-estate-wire-fraud\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Factors_that_Contribute_to_Real_Estate_Wire_Fraud\"><\/span>Factors that Contribute to Real Estate Wire Fraud<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many factors contribute to the rise of real estate wire fraud. While it falls under the broader umbrella of modern <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/software\/online-financial-scams\/\">financial scams<\/a>, this specific crime surged notably after the COVID-19 pandemic and the normalization of remote transactions. Here are the main factors to note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lack of verification for wire instructions<\/strong>. When closing teams, buyers, or agents accept wiring details via email without confirmation, cyber adversaries can compromise the integrity of \u201cupdated\u201d instructions that appear legitimate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use of personal email accounts<\/strong>. Personal email accounts are more vulnerable than company email accounts since they lack enterprise-grade protection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Poor cyber hygiene<\/strong>. Using weak passwords, insecure networks, and unencrypted communication channels can create vulnerabilities for scammers to exploit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Buyers are unaware of wire fraud scams<\/strong>.\u202fAccording to a recent\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.certifid.com\/state-of-wire-fraud\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CertifID report<\/a>, 52% of consumers were \u201cnot aware\u201d or only \u201csomewhat aware\u201d of real estate wire fraud.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of security awareness<\/strong>.\u202fThe real estate sector has been slow to adopt the necessary security protocols to protect buyers and sellers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Targeting first-time homebuyers<\/strong>.\u202fScammers primarily target first-time homebuyers because of their lack of experience with real estate transactions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Older buyers are less tech-savvy<\/strong>.\u202fCertifID reported a gap in digital awareness between younger and older U.S. citizens, with Americans aged 55 and older being twice as likely to be unaware of wire fraud risks before closing a property.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-to-do-if-you-fall-victim-to-real-estate-wire-fraud\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_If_You_Fall_Victim_to_Real_Estate_Wire_Fraud\"><\/span>What to Do If You Fall Victim to Real Estate Wire Fraud<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"respond-to-wire-fraud\">\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have sent funds to a suspicious account, the actions you take in the immediate aftermath are very important. During this time, you will be able to determine whether the money can be traced, frozen, or intercepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Preserve Evidence<\/strong>. You should preserve the evidence of your transfer and all communications. Preserve all messages, bank wire receipts, account details, timestamps, call logs, email threads, and any other relevant data. Experts like those at Digital Forensics Corp can help you preserve admissible evidence and perform forensic analysis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Notify your bank<\/strong>. Reach out to your bank and let them know about this scam. Ask them for a fraud freeze and a SWIFT recall for international wires. Most victims ask, \u201cCan lost money be recovered?\u201d The answer is \u201cYes,\u201d but you need proper guidelines and professional advice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Report the scam to the authorities<\/strong>. You should quickly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/extortion\/report-cybercrime-to-the-fbi\/\">report the scam to the FBI through the IC3<\/a>. You need to make sure that all necessary details are provided, including wire details, names, phone numbers, dates, and email records. In addition, you should report the incident to your local police, as they can provide immediate assistance. Inform all other parties involved so they can stop further funding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider professional cybersecurity help<\/strong>. Digital evidence can be complicated, especially when monetary transfers are concerned. You may not have access to the resources or knowledge necessary to retrieve this data. Digital Forensics Corp. can help you collect, analyze, and preserve electronic proof.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-prevent-wire-fraud-in-real-estate\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Prevent_Wire_Fraud_in_Real_Estate\"><\/span>How to Prevent Wire Fraud in Real Estate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"prevent-real-estate-wire-fraud\">\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are you interested in knowing how to prevent wire fraud in real estate? Homebuyers need to take it upon themselves to protect against wire fraud scams. Scammers rely on social engineering to trick buyers into making mistakes. However, there are best practices you can follow to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/extortion\/how-to-avoid-online-fraud\/\">avoid online fraud<\/a> during a real estate transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-practices-for-lawyers\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Practices_for_Lawyers\"><\/span>Best Practices for Lawyers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Incorporate real estate wire fraud disclosure language into closing packets and engagement documents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use documented procedures for larger or high-risk deals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stay informed by taking part in security awareness and training programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-practices-for-homebuyers\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Practices_for_Homebuyers\"><\/span>Best Practices for Homebuyers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don\u2019t rely on contact information provided through text or email. Instead, reach out through a verified communication channel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you receive a request for urgent changes, treat it with healthy skepticism. It can be an indication of a scam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Always use a secure portal or encrypted email to share documents and instructions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protect your accounts with 2FA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-guides-for-realtors\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guides_for_Realtors\"><\/span>Guides for Realtors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Always communicate through official channels rather than personal phone numbers or email addresses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be aware of the warning signs, including spelling mistakes in domain names, requests to skip normal steps, attempts to create a sense of urgency, or \u201creply-to\u201d mismatches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prevention-techniques-for-escrow-officers-and-closing-teams\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prevention_Techniques_for_Escrow_Officers_and_Closing_Teams\"><\/span>Prevention Techniques for Escrow Officers and Closing Teams<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A secure portal is always essential for closing communications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At least two people should review large transfers. Dual authentication enables you to initiate, approve, and verify payee details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don\u2019t approve last-minute changes to wiring instructions. Contact your supervisor to seek approval and call back on a verified number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-general-guidelines\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"General_Guidelines\"><\/span>General Guidelines<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Do not make payments on Fridays or before holidays<\/strong>.\u202fIt\u2019s best to avoid sending payments on Fridays or before holidays. Title companies and real estate agents are typically unavailable during these time periods, which means that you won\u2019t be notified of the lost funds until days later.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Always verify the information and sender<\/strong>.\u202fYou should always verify the wiring instructions and the sender&#8217;s email address. Look for spoofed emails from unofficial addresses. Stay skeptical of any emails with wiring instruction changes as well. You can confirm these changes over the phone, in person, or by emailing the official address yourself in a new thread.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Secure your accounts<\/strong>.\u202fUpdate your password and make sure that two-factor authentication is enabled for more protection. You should also avoid clicking on any suspicious links or attachments in emails.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Act immediately if you suspect fraud<\/strong>.\u202fReport the scam to the bank and local law enforcement quickly. You should also notify the FBI\u2019s IC3 division. Time is of the essence in real estate wire fraud scams, and rapid reporting gives you the best chance at a successful recovery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-money-lost-be-recovered-0\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Money_Lost_Be_Recovered\"><\/span>Can Money Lost Be Recovered?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Losing money in a real estate fraud scam can be devastating,- it can feel similar to discovering your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/extortion\/my-bank-account-has-been-hacked\/\">bank account has been hacked<\/a>.  Thousands of dollars can be stolen along with losing any real estate assets you were hoping to purchase. While it is possible to recover money lost in a real estate wire fraud scam, the process is extremely complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recovering funds is largely dependent on speed. The sooner financial institutions are notified of fraudulent transactions, the better their chances of reversing or canceling the transfer. Once the money transfer is deposited into the recipient\u2019s account, the transaction is almost impossible to reverse. There are other factors that heavily influence the success of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/extortion\/recover-funds-from-scammers\/\">recovering lost funds<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The type of payment. <\/strong>Transactions with little to no electronic records are difficult to trace. This includes gift cards, cash payments, and prepaid cards. Cryptocurrency also obfuscates payment information, making tracing and recovering funds almost impossible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Destination of transactions. <\/strong>International transactions can complicate the recovery process. Other financial institutions and local laws may have different policies to comply with when it comes to recovering stolen funds after a real estate scam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How quickly the fraudulent transaction was reported. <\/strong>Victims need to report fraudulent transactions as soon as they can. This minimizes the chance of the funds being withdrawn or transferred to other accounts before the banks can get to them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The cooperation of financial institutions. <\/strong>Banks are an essential variable in tracing and stopping funds. They have access to private financial information, as well as policies against fraud to protect consumers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Documentation and evidence of the crime. <\/strong>Recovery services are not provided for just any transactions. There has to be proof of fraud through evidence such as messages and financial records.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-real-world-cases-of-real-estate-wire-fraud\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Real-World_Cases_of_Real_Estate_Wire_Fraud\"><\/span>Real-World Cases of Real Estate Wire Fraud<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though cases of wire fraud have surged, awareness is still not where it needs to be to protect home buyers. One of the best ways to prevent these cybercrimes is to learn from real stories. That\u2019s why we have compiled a couple of cases of real estate wire fraud to help buyers understand how these scams can happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-buying-a-first-time-home-gone-wrong\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Buying_a_First-Time_Home_Gone_Wrong\"><\/span>Buying a First-Time Home Gone Wrong<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carly Andreatos was a first-time home buyer when she became a <a href=\"https:\/\/money.com\/real-estate-wire-fraud-scam-covid-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">victim of real estate wire fraud.<\/a> Her attorney\u2019s paralegal sent her an email with instructions on wiring the down payment and closing costs for a house. The total came out to $22,890. She wired the money without thinking, not wanting to delay closing. However, she learned the next morning that her attorney never received the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She realized that she had been scammed, and the last email she read was fake. Andreatos was unsure if she would ever get her money back and as of today, there isn\u2019t an update on her financial status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-real-estate-wire-fraud-ruins-family-s-home-purchase\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Real_Estate_Wire_Fraud_Ruins_Familys_Home_Purchase\"><\/span>Real Estate Wire Fraud Ruins Family\u2019s Home Purchase<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2015, Oliver Ellerbe was looking to bring his senior parents closer to him in Houston. They found a house that was just a five-minute drive from his home. At a real estate auction, he made a winning bid for $150,000. Days before closing, Ellerbe received an email from what appeared to be his real estate agent at Keller Williams. The message stated that the wiring instructions had changed. Soon after, he went to the bank and sent the money to the new bank address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, on the morning of closing, the title company emailed Ellerbe asking about when he was going to send the money. His heart sank as he realized that he had sent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2019\/10\/05\/homebuyers-are-falling-for-this-scam-some-lose-their-life-savings.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">his money to a scammer.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-digital-forensics-corp-helps-combat-real-estate-wire-fraud\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Digital_Forensics_Corp_Helps_Combat_Real_Estate_Wire_Fraud\"><\/span>How Digital Forensics Corp Helps Combat Real Estate Wire Fraud<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/contact-us\">Digital Forensics Corp<\/a>. is your reliable and trustworthy partner for all things cybersecurity. Our licensed digital forensics investigators and certified data analysts can help you take control of the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our professionals will perform forensic analysis to uncover the criminal\u2019s online footprint. Using this data, we can provide findings that support efforts to identify the party responsible. Furthermore, we can analyze blockchains with the intention of tracing and reversing payments when possible. We also offer incident response consulting for victims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reach out to us for an expert investigation and a report that is admissible in a court of law. You do not need to face this alone. One of our specialists is available to take your call and help you get started today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779221513075\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How can I avoid real estate wire fraud scams?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You can avoid real estate wire fraud scams by implementing proactive measures, including using a secure portal, verifying the sender, implementing 2FA, and using official channels.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779221523173\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Why isn\u2019t real estate wire fraud insured?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Real estate wire fraud is not covered by insurance because it is considered a voluntary transfer, and insurance companies cover property defects, not payment-instruction scams.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779221536060\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are common signs of real estate wire transfer fraud?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Common signs of real estate wire transfer fraud include urgent language, spelling mistakes, requests to skip normal steps, or \u201creply-to\u201d mismatches.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background:#f3f4f6; padding:30px; border-radius:14px; max-width:950px; margin:20px auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #333;\">\n  <div style=\"display:flex; gap:30px; align-items: flex-start; flex-wrap: nowrap;\">\n\n    <div style=\"flex: 0 0 160px; text-align: center;\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/author\/visor\/\" style=\"text-decoration: none; border: none; display: block;\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Viktor-Sobiecki.jpg\"\n             alt=\"Dr. Viktor Sobiecki\"\n             style=\"width: 140px; height: 140px; object-fit: cover; border-radius: 50%; border: 1px solid #ddd; display: block; margin: 0 auto 12px auto;\">\n      <\/a>\n      <div style=\"margin: 0; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.3; font-weight: 700;\">\n        Dr. Viktor Sobiecki<br \/>\n        <span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #666;\">Chief Technology Officer (CTO)<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div style=\"flex: 1;\">\n      <h3 style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 800; line-height: 1.2;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dr_Viktor_Sobiecki\"><\/span>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/author\/visor\/\" style=\"color: #002db3; text-decoration: none;\">\n          Dr. Viktor Sobiecki\n        <\/a>\n      <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n      <p style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #333; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 0 20px 0;\">\n        Currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Digital Forensics Corporation,\n        where responsibilities span the leadership of advanced cybersecurity initiatives,\n        data breach incident responses, and corporate strategic planning.\n      <\/p>\n\n      <div style=\"display: flex; gap: 25px; align-items: center; flex-wrap: wrap;\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/certifications\"\n           style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; color: #002db3; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 700; 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Avoid altering any digital files to ensure forensic admissibility.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Notify Financial Institutions Immediately\",\n          \"text\": \"Contact your bank's fraud department. Request an immediate fraud freeze and initiate a SWIFT recall or wire reversal protocol if the funds were sent internationally or to another domestic bank.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Report to Law Enforcement and IC3\",\n          \"text\": \"File an emergency complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) specifically noting the 'Financial Fraud Kill Chain' (FFKC) if the wire was sent within 72 hours. Alert local police and all transaction parties.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Engage Incident Response Professionals\",\n          \"text\": \"Consult cybersecurity and digital forensics experts to conduct an advanced analysis of compromised email accounts (BEC) to trace how the attackers intercepted the closing details.\"\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowTo\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/extortion\/real-estate-wire-fraud\/#prevent-real-estate-wire-fraud\",\n      \"name\": \"How to Prevent Wire Fraud in Real Estate\",\n      \"description\": \"Proactive defense mechanisms and verification protocols for homebuyers, realtors, lawyers, and escrow teams.\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.digitalforensics.com\/blog\/extortion\/real-estate-wire-fraud\/#prevent-real-estate-wire-fraud\",\n      \"step\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Implement Role-Specific Best Practices\",\n          \"text\": \"Lawyers should use wire disclosures; buyers must avoid using phone numbers listed in unverified emails; realtors should watch for look-alike domains; escrow officers must mandate dual-authorization for large transfers.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Enforce Verbal Out-of-Band Verification\",\n          \"text\": \"Always verify wiring instructions via a voice call to a known, independently sourced phone number before sending any funds. Never trust contact details provided in an email containing wire changes.\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n          \"name\": \"Restrict Timing of Transfers\",\n          \"text\": \"Do not initiate financial wire transfers on Fridays, afternoons, or immediately preceding federal holidays. 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With a background in communication and a deep understanding of online threats, Benjamin focuses on creating content that bridges the gap between a general unawareness of cyber threats and application of the best online safety practices. &#xa0; Expertise Benjamin\u2019s work centers around some of the most pressing and emotionally charged areas in cybersecurity today: \u2022 Data breach response and regulatory compliance \u2022 Legal protections against non-consensual image sharing (NCII) \u2022 Blackmail and sextortion response strategies \u2022 Victim-centered resources and education \u2022 Analysis of trending cybercrime tactics &#xa0; Role at Digital Forensics Corp. At Digital Forensics Corp., Benjamin plays a critical role in creating valuable educational content for victims, families, and corporate teams. He collaborates with cybercrime experts and legal professionals to ensure accuracy, and his work helps readers navigate crises with confidence. 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