Quick Answer
Scammers often hack or spoof email accounts involved in a transaction, then send convincing but fake wiring instructions right before closing. Always verify wire details by phone using a number you already have on file, such as from your title company's printed paperwork, never a number from the email itself.
- How it happens
- Fake or hacked emails with altered wiring instructions
- Best defense
- Verify by phone using a known, independently sourced number
- Never do
- Wire funds based on email instructions alone
- If it happens
- Call your bank and the title company immediately
How the Scam Typically Works
Criminals monitor email threads between buyers, agents, lenders, and title companies, then send a spoofed email right before closing with wiring instructions that look legitimate but route to the scammer's account. Once funds are wired, they are often very difficult or impossible to recover.
Because so much money moves right at closing, this is one of the highest-value targets for real estate scammers nationally, not just in Central Indiana.
How to Protect Yourself
Never rely solely on wiring instructions received by email, even if they appear to come from your title company. Call your title company directly using a phone number you sourced independently, such as from their website or earlier paperwork, and verbally confirm the account and routing numbers before you send anything.
If you ever suspect fraud, contact your bank immediately to attempt a wire recall, then notify your title company and agent right away.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Closing wire fraud
How do I verify wiring instructions are legitimate?
Call your title company using a phone number you already have, not one from the email, and confirm the details verbally.
What should I do if I already sent a wire to the wrong account?
Contact your bank immediately to request a wire recall, then notify your title company and law enforcement.
Can title companies reverse a fraudulent wire?
Sometimes, if caught within hours, but there is no guarantee, which is why prevention matters most.
Are email wiring instructions ever safe to trust alone?
No. Always verify by phone before wiring any closing funds, no matter how legitimate the email looks.