Industry Resources &
Wire Fraud Prevention

Wire Fraud Prevention
Guide

What Is Real Estate Wire Fraud?

Real estate wire fraud occurs when cybercriminals intercept email communications between parties in a real estate transaction -- typically between title companies, lenders, attorneys, and buyers. The criminals send emails that appear to come from legitimate sources, providing fake wiring instructions. Victims unknowingly wire their closing funds to the criminal's account.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports that real estate wire fraud results in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses annually.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Last-minute changes to wiring instructions, especially via email
• Pressure to wire funds immediately or "the deal will fall through"
• Emails with slightly misspelled addresses (e.g., "simplicitytit1e.com" instead of "simplicitytitle.com")
• Instructions to wire to a different bank or account than previously discussed
• Requests to keep the wire transfer confidential
• Emails with grammar or formatting that differ from previous legitimate communications

Simplicity Title's Verification Process

At Simplicity Title, we take wire security extremely seriously:

• We will NEVER send wiring instructions via email alone. Any wiring instructions will be confirmed through a verified phone number you have on file.
• We use secure, encrypted communication channels for sensitive transaction information.
• Our team is trained to recognize and report suspicious activity immediately.
• We verify the identity of all parties before disbursing funds.

What to Do If You Suspect Fraud

• Do NOT send any funds. Stop the transaction immediately.
• Call Simplicity Title directly at 877.848.5320 to verify any wiring instructions.
• Contact your bank immediately if you've already wired funds. Request a wire recall -- time is critical.
• File a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
• Report to local law enforcement and your state's attorney general.

Protect Yourself: Best Practices

• Always verify wiring instructions by phone using a known, trusted number
• Never click links in emails related to wiring or financial transactions
• Use strong, unique passwords for your email account
• Enable two-factor authentication on all email accounts
• Be skeptical of any urgency around wiring funds
• Confirm the recipient's account details with your bank before sending