03/24/26

As market activity picks up this season, this blog is a reminder for everyone in real estate to slow down. Why? Because cybercriminals pose a bigger threat than ever to our transactions and the money involved.

Wire fraud is not a new threat in real estate, but as technology advances, so do the tactics used by cybercriminals. This idea was reinforced by CertifID in their annual State of Wire Fraud Report, which is always a must-read. Here are four takeaways from the 2026 edition.

Suspicious communication remains very common. Like last year, 1 in 4 recent buyers reported receiving a suspicious message during their transaction, according to the survey. This repeat statistic should reinforce that, despite our best efforts, scams are a thorn in the side of anyone involved in real estate.  

Whether it’s a fake email, a spoofed phone call, or “new” wiring instructions, scammers are inserting themselves into our conversations whenever possible. That’s why improving both your education and your own account safeguards is always paramount.

Business Email Compromise (BEC) attempts are up almost 1,800 percent. This staggering spike (specifically 1,760%) is thanks to AI. Yes, cybercriminals are using ChatGPT and other tools to work smarter and faster, too. In many cases, the messages they craft, whether they’re targeted toward real estate or not, appear to come directly from a trusted party. This makes verification and account security more important than ever.

61 percent of buyers say they are worried about wire fraud. We’re highlighting this figure as a good thing. Hear us out. Having more than 6 out of 10 respondents report being worried about fraud proves the industry’s efforts are working. In fact, the survey also found that almost half (46%) of buyers delayed sending funds due to fraud concerns.

Pausing before wiring large sums of money is always wise. But, as the first two statistics show, that has hardly deterred criminals from improving their own tactics and casting a wider net.

Most consumers (85 percent) are willing to pay more for secure transactions. We included this finding because it reinforces the value of security. If you’re like us and you invest in protecting your clients, make sure you broadcast that. As the public better recognizes the risks, people will actively choose to work with professionals who can prove they can keep their transactions safer than the competition.

For all these reasons and more, our teams keep protecting our customers and their money at the center of what we do. When it comes to wire fraud, awareness is important. But action is what truly keeps transactions secure. Continue reminding your buyers and sellers that if something seems off, it probably is! We are always here for you.