Let’s get real for a second.
You’re about to buy a house. You’ve worked hard, saved up, and now it’s time to wire that big pile of money to close the deal. Exciting, right?
But wait — what if I told you a scammer could slip in at the last second and steal every dollar without you even noticing? That’s exactly what happens in wire fraud scams.
The good news? You can protect yourself with a few smart moves. Let’s break down how to spot fake wiring instructions before it’s too late.
🚨 First, What Do Fake Wiring Instructions Look Like?
They look real. That’s what makes them dangerous. Scammers will:
- Copy your title company’s logo
- Use a name you recognize
- Send emails that look just like the real deal
- Tell you something like: “Here’s the updated wiring instructions. Please send funds today to avoid delay.”
They know when your closing is. They know who you’re working with. And they prey on people who are too stressed or busy to double-check.
🕵️♀️ 6 Ways to Spot a Fake Wiring Instruction
Let’s make this super clear, even if tech isn’t your thing.
1. The Email Address Is Almost Right
Scammers use sneaky tricks like:
- Swapping letters or numbers (like
@titleco.com→@tit1eco.com) - Adding dots or dashes (
j.smith@company.com→jsmith@company-info.com)
📌 Always hover over the email address — not just the name — to see the real sender.
2. It’s “Urgent” or Pushy
The message might say:
“This must be completed today to avoid delays.”
That urgency? Red flag. Real professionals don’t rush like that — especially with hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line.
3. New or Updated Wiring Instructions
If someone sends you new bank details at the last minute — STOP.
This is the biggest red flag of all.
📞 Call your title company or agent using a number you trust — not the one in the email — to confirm everything.
4. Spelling or Grammar Is Slightly Off
Even if the message looks polished, small errors like:
- “Wiring infomation” instead of “information”
- Weird spacing or capital letters
…can be signs it was written by someone pretending to be your team.
5. They Want You to Click a Link or Open an Attachment
If the email includes a file or asks you to click a link to “view instructions,” slow down. These can lead to fake websites or malware.
6. Something Feels… Off
Even if you can’t explain why — trust your gut. If the tone is weird or it just doesn’t sound like the person you’ve been talking to, don’t ignore that feeling.
💡 Quick Tips to Stay Safe
✅ Confirm all wiring instructions by phone with your title company
✅ Never trust wiring info sent only by email
✅ Set a verbal “code word” with your agent for wiring confirmations
✅ Avoid sending money on Fridays — scammers love weekends when banks are closed
✅ Slow down — no deal is worth losing your life savings over rushing
🏡 Real-Life Example
A couple in Florida was one email away from closing on their dream home. They wired $145,000… and never saw it again. The scammer had mimicked their title agent’s email perfectly. No refunds. No redo. Game over.
But with a 2-minute phone call to verify the wiring instructions? It could’ve been avoided.
🔐 Final Thought: Be Smart, Not Scared
Look — this isn’t about freaking out. It’s about being smarter than the scammers. You’ve already done the hard work to get to closing — don’t let someone steal your future because of one fake email.
Take your time. Make the call. Trust your gut.
Because once that money is gone… it’s gone.
You’ve got this.