Wire Fraud 2025: Safe Earnest Money Playbook

Real estate wire fraud attempts keep climbing. Attackers spoof title, agent, and lender emails to redirect earnest money and cash-to-close funds. Use this playbook every time you wire.

Before you wire

• Demand two-channel verification: receive instructions by secure portal, then call a verified number (not email) to confirm routing/account.
• Lock down email: enable MFA on your inbox and your agent’s; avoid public Wi‑Fi when accessing closing emails.
• Confirm the exact amount and any daily wiring cutoff times with your bank.

Day-of-wire checklist

1. Call the title/escrow company at a known-good phone number (from their website or your contract) and read back the full account and routing numbers.
2. Send a small test wire if time permits; confirm receipt before sending the full amount.
3. Forward the confirmation to your closer using the secure portal, not plain email.
4. Save the wire receipt and bank reference number.

If something feels off

• Pause immediately; do not wire until you confirm live with escrow.
• If a wire already sent seems compromised, contact your bank’s fraud line and request a SWIFT recall or FFIEC wire fraud escalation within hours.
• File an IC3.gov report and notify escrow and your agent.

For agents and investors

• Use one standard set of instructions; avoid last-minute changes that create confusion.
• Educate buyers on fraud steps at contract signing; require written acknowledgment.
• Store wiring PDFs in a secure portal with watermarks and expiration.