Wire Transfer Fraud in Real Estate: How to Stay Safe

Real estate wire fraud has become one of the most costly financial crimes in the country, with victims losing hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Transactions involving large wire transfers — like closing costs, down payments, and security deposits — are prime targets.

How It Works

Fraudsters compromise the email accounts of real estate agents, title companies, or attorneys involved in a transaction. They then send convincing wire instructions from what appears to be a trusted party, redirecting funds to a fraudulent account. By the time the fraud is discovered, the money is often unrecoverable.

Warning Signs

• Last-minute changes to wire instructions via email
• Urgency or pressure to wire funds quickly
• Slightly different email address from what you have been using
• Instructions that differ from what your escrow company gave you in person or by phone

How to Protect Yourself

• Always call to verify: Before wiring any funds, call your title company or attorney using a number you independently verified — not one from the email
• Verify account numbers verbally: Confirm routing and account numbers by phone, not email
• Be suspicious of all last-minute changes: Legitimate parties rarely change wire instructions at the last moment

ARKInvest, Corp. will never change payment instructions via email without verbal confirmation. When in doubt, call us directly at a number from our official website.