TL;DR: The busiest home-buying months are spring and summer, when transaction volume is highest and buyers are juggling multiple large wire transfers in a compressed closing timeline. Always confirm wiring instructions by phone using a number from the title company's official website, never one from an email, and be suspicious of any last-minute change to payment details.
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The busiest home-buying months are spring and summer, when transaction volume is highest and buyers are juggling multiple large wire transfers in a compressed closing timeline.
How the Scam Plays Out
Scammers monitor real estate email threads and send a spoofed message right before closing, impersonating the title company or agent with new wiring instructions that redirect the down payment to a fraudulent account.
How to Protect Yourself
Always confirm wiring instructions by phone using a number from the title company's official website, never one from an email, and be suspicious of any last-minute change to payment details.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Income Tax Refund Phishing Scams.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see January Gym and Fitness App Data Privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
The busiest home-buying months are spring and summer, when transaction volume is highest and buyers are juggling multiple large wire transfers in a compressed closing timeline.
What tactics are used?
Scammers monitor real estate email threads and send a spoofed message right before closing, impersonating the title company or agent with new wiring instructions that redirect the down payment to a fraudulent account.
How can I protect myself?
Always confirm wiring instructions by phone using a number from the title company's official website, never one from an email, and be suspicious of any last-minute change to payment details.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.