06/16/26

As we head into summer, we are here to reminder our customers that cybercriminals don’t take vacations. All of us need to always stay vigilant in the fight against wire fraud and other scams.

However, we know this repeated message can get stale. That’s why we’re always looking for new ways to talk about this problem. Our latest approach comes with assistance from our friends at the National Association of REALTORS®.

NAR recently did a series of stories on the topic, one of which featured a fraud victim named Raegan Bartlo. Bartlo lost her down payment after scammers intercepted communications during her home purchase. In interviews and podcast discussions shared by NAR, Bartlo described how legitimate the fraudulent instructions appeared and how quickly everything unraveled after the money was sent. It’s certainly worth viewing.

The real impact of wire fraud. What makes stories like Bartlo’s especially harrowing is the reminder that these scams don’t just target bank accounts, they target people during major life moments. After all, a down payment represents years of savings, sacrifice and planning. Losing those funds can delay or completely derail homeownership goals and damage the reputations of everyone involved. That’s why awareness matters, and conversations about wire fraud should be happening long before Closing Day.

How fraud occurs. In many cases, scammers gain access to email chains connected to a real estate transaction. They monitor conversations between buyers, agents, lenders, title companies and attorneys, just waiting for the right moment to strike.

Then, usually uncomfortably close to Closing Day, the buyer receives what appears to be a legitimate email containing “updated” or “final” wiring instructions. The e-mail may use familiar names, logos, signatures and even nearly identical email addresses. NAR notes that real estate transactions are especially attractive to scammers because they involve:

• Large sums of money
• Multiple parties communicating digitally
• Tight deadlines and emotional pressure
• Sensitive financial information shared throughout the process

How can buyers – and their agents – stay protected? We’re glad you asked! While fraudsters continue to evolve, there are several steps buyers can take to stay ahead of these criminals. To our agent friends, make sure you go over some variation of this list with every client – and share this advice with anyone who needs it.

• Never trust last-minute changes to wiring instructions sent by email or text.
• Always verify wiring instructions by calling a trusted phone number you already have on file.
• Do not use phone numbers or links included in a suspicious message.
• Ask questions if anything feels rushed or unusual.
• Work with trusted real estate professionals (like us) who prioritize fraud prevention and buyer education.

As you’ve probably heard us mention, keeping your transaction safe and your money secure is a top priority for our entire team. Contact your local branch anytime. Remember, if something seems off, it probably is!