When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to focus on the excitement like picking up the keys, moving into a new neighborhood, and starting a fresh chapter. But behind every successful home purchase, there’s a critical step that demands serious attention: safely wiring your closing funds.
At Lawyers Express Title, we understand that sending a large sum of money can feel intimidating, especially with the rise of real estate wire fraud. That’s why we’re committed to protecting your transaction and helping you stay alert to the risks.
Understanding Real Estate Wire Fraud
Wire fraud is a growing threat across the real estate industry. It typically occurs when a scammer hacks into email communications between buyers, real estate agents, lenders, or title companies. After gaining access, the fraudster sends a convincing but fraudulent message with fake wiring instructions, tricking the buyer into sending their closing funds to a criminal’s bank account. Once the money is transferred, it’s often impossible to recover.
What makes wire fraud particularly dangerous is how subtle it can be. The email might look legitimate, featuring familiar logos, professional language, and even personal details about your transaction. Without vigilance, even careful buyers can fall victim.
How Lawyers Express Title Protects You from Real Estate Wire Fraud
At Lawyers Express Title, we take wire safety seriously. We send all wiring instructions through secure, encrypted platforms and will never ask you to verify sensitive information through standard email. We also have strict internal policies to prevent unauthorized access and ensure that every communication is verified.
If wiring instructions ever change—which is extremely rare—we will speak with you directly by phone using a trusted, verified number. We encourage all our clients to follow the same protocol: if you receive wiring instructions via email, always call to confirm before initiating any transfer.
What Is Your Title Company Doing to Protect You?
Chris Keelty sits down with our IT partner, Baltimore Consulting, to discuss proactive steps to prevent fraud before it starts.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
Protecting your funds starts with staying alert. If you receive any emails that seem rushed, unusual, or involve last-minute changes to your payment instructions, stop and verify the details immediately. Never rely solely on email to confirm wiring instructions—pick up the phone and call your settlement company or real estate agent at a number you trust.
It’s also important to be cautious about how you share sensitive information. Use secure portals for communication whenever possible, and avoid sending banking details over unencrypted email.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels “off,” it’s better to pause and double-check than risk losing your hard-earned money.
Final Thoughts: Safe Transactions Start with Trusted Partners
Wire fraud can happen to anyone, but with the right precautions and the right partners, you can close on your new home with confidence.
At Lawyers Express Title, we prioritize your security at every step of the closing process. From the moment you open your file with us to the day you receive your keys, you can trust that we are working to protect your investment and your peace of mind.
Ready to close safely?
If you ever have questions or concerns about wiring funds or how we safeguard your transaction, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your safety isn’t just important to us—it’s our top priority.