Criminals hack or impersonate real estate agents, title companies and lenders and email buyers fake wiring instructions right before closing. Never wire money based on instructions received only by email or text. Call your closing agent at a phone number you found yourself, not one in the message, to confirm the account details before you send anything, and call again after to confirm it arrived.
How the scam works
Scammers watch real transactions through hacked email accounts, then send a convincing message at the moment you expect wiring instructions: “There’s been a change to our account, please wire to these new details.” The message may come from an address that looks almost identical to your agent’s or title company’s. Once a wire is sent, it’s very hard to recover.
Warning signs
- A last-minute change to wiring instructions.
- Pressure to wire quickly or keep it confidential.
- A slightly different email address or domain.
- Instructions to wire to an individual or a bank in a different state or country.
- Phone numbers that appear only in the email.
How to protect yourself
- At the start of your purchase, ask your closing agent how they’ll send wiring instructions, and save their phone number from their official website.
- When instructions arrive, call that number and read back the account and routing numbers.
- Treat any change in instructions as fraud until confirmed by phone.
- Ask your bank to verify the account name matches the title company.
- After wiring, call to confirm the funds arrived.
The same precautions apply to your earnest money, often the first wire in a purchase.
If you think you’ve been scammed
- Call your bank immediately and ask them to recall the wire.
- Contact the receiving bank.
- Report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and your local police.
- Notify your agent, lender and closing agent.
Speed matters: recoveries are most likely within the first day or two.
Plan ahead
Know your exact cash to close in advance, and confirm your bank’s wire limits and cutoff times so you’re not rushed on closing day.
Common questions
How do I verify wiring instructions?
Call your closing agent at a phone number you found yourself, such as on their official website, and read back the account details.
What should I do if I wired money to a scammer?
Call your bank immediately to recall the wire, contact the receiving bank, and report it to the FBI’s IC3 and local police.
Would a title company ever change wiring instructions by email?
Treat any change as fraud until you’ve confirmed it by phone with someone you know at a verified number.
Updated October 2026. Educational content. OfferBacked is not currently a lender and doesn’t issue pre-approvals or loans.