I want to share something that’s been happening lately, because if it’s happened to my clients, it’s happening everywhere—and I don’t want anyone to fall victim to it.

This year, I’ve had two different buyers targeted by hackers trying to trick them into wiring money to the wrong place. And when we’re talking about down payments and closing costs—tens of thousands of dollars—this is not small change. It’s heartbreaking to think about how easily someone could lose that money forever.

---

Why I Strongly Recommend Not Wiring Funds

First things first: I tell all of my clients the same thing—don’t mess with wiring money if you don’t have to. The risk is just too high. Once that money leaves your account, it’s gone. And hackers know that real estate transactions involve large amounts of money, so they’re targeting buyers at the perfect time: when you’re already stressed, juggling details, and waiting on instructions.

---

My First Experience with Wire Fraud Attempts

The first time it happened this year, I noticed something felt “off.” The language in the email didn’t match the way my buyer usually talked. That made me pause. When I looked closer, I realized the hackers had set up fake email addresses—literally one letter off from the real ones—and they were sending messages to the buyers and even the other agent.

It was scary how convincing they were. Everything looked authentic at first glance, but when you looked closely, you could see the tricks.

---

The Second Time—Even Sneakier

The second time was just last month. This time, they reached out only to my buyer, but they knew the title company’s name and even the closer’s name. That’s how sophisticated these people are.

My client actually sent me a screenshot asking why the title company needed wire information—when we had never planned to wire anything. Even after closing, these hackers were still sending follow-up emails, trying to get a response.

Of course, we reported both situations to the title company, but here’s the thing: if this has happened to my clients, it’s happening all over the country.

---

How to Protect Yourself

Here’s my PSA to anyone buying a home:

• Never trust wiring instructions sent by email.
• If you are wiring funds, double-check in person or with a phone call. Speak directly with your closer or your agent, using a trusted phone number.
• Know that wiring instructions do not change last-minute. If you get an “urgent” email saying otherwise, that’s your red flag.

But honestly? My advice is simple: avoid wiring altogether if possible. Bring a cashier’s check or certified funds instead. It may feel old-school, but it’s safer—and peace of mind is worth it.

---

The Bottom Line

Hackers are smart, creative, and relentless. They make their messages look legit, and they prey on people during what should be an exciting time: buying a new home. My job is to protect my clients, not just during negotiations, but also from scams like this.

So please, if you’re buying a home, slow down, double-check, and don’t wire money unless you’ve confirmed every single detail in person.

I’d rather you be over-cautious than lose thousands of dollars to someone sitting behind a computer.

---

👉 Have you or someone you know ever seen one of these fraudulent emails? I’d love to hear your stories so we can spread the word and protect more buyers.