Wire fraud scams are not new, and we are beginning to hear more about them hitting too close to home – far too often! In fact, it is not unusual for me to hear about a breach, or potential breach, each and every week.
Recently, as I sat in a closing with my sellers, we overheard a party in the next room (who was expecting a check at closing for the proceeds from the sale of their home) being questioned about an email the closing attorney had just received asking to have those funds wired directly to a bank account. Thankfully, the savvy closing coordinator second-guessed the legitimacy of that email and verified it, before acting, saving that seller from the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
My clients are put on notice up front that I will never provide them with wiring instructions nor discuss their personal financial information via email, and any email doing so should be called into question immediately.
However, it is very easy with the number of emails received during a real estate transaction (agent, lender, inspector, closing attorney, etc…) for a buyer to become confused about who they are communicating with. And, sadly, the bad guys are getting very good about making themselves look legitimate.
It is always my recommendation that, upon receipt of any questionable communication, you contact the closing attorney’s office immediately – not through any email address or phone number provided in that questionable communication – but directly by phone, through a verified phone number, to confirm the legitimacy of the information.
NEVER provide your personal information via email to an unconfirmed source or over the phone to someone who called you.
It is my hope that by sharing this information it will be easier for consumers to recognize the red flags and protect themselves from the danger.
Checkout this quick video to find out more:
Please feel free to call or text me at 404 710 0204 if I can provide you with more information about this article, or if I can assist you with buying or selling a home. I offer complimentary home evaluations and seller / buyer strategy consulting. Let’s have coffee or a phone consultation and talk about your real estate goals!
This Local Real Estate blog is hosted by Gayle Barton, a top producing Realtor® with BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices Georgia Properties. Gayle Barton is ranked among the top 6% of BHHS agents nationwide. Licensed since 1983, she brings significant experience in negotiation and client advocacy and has closed more than $100 million in local sales.
Gayle specializes in real estate sales in the following North Georgia Counties – Forsyth, North Fulton, Dawson, East Cherokee, – Cities: Cumming GA, Suwanee GA, Alpharetta GA, Milton GA, Johns Creek GA, Ball Ground GA, Big Canoe GA, Dawsonville GA
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POST TOPIC: wire fraud scam, real estate wire fraud, home buyer wire fraud, closing wire fraud, mortgage wire fraud, real estate email scam, home closing scam, wire transfer fraud prevention, protect closing funds, home buyer safety tips, real estate cybersecurity, closing attorney wire instructions, verify wiring instructions, real estate transaction security, home buying scams, Georgia home buyers, Forsyth County real estate, North Fulton real estate, Cumming GA real estate, Alpharetta GA real estate, Milton GA real estate, Johns Creek real estate
Disclaimer: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed, and it is subject to change without notice. All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Gayle Barton and may not be used without expressed written permission.
My clients needs are my number one priority and putting them first is how I distinguish myself from other agents in my area. 
