I wired money to a scammer during a fake real estate closing — what do I do?
Call your bank immediately and ask for a wire recall — real estate wire fraud has a narrow recovery window. Also contact the FBI, which has a specific rapid-response process for these cases.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Real estate wire fraud occurs when a scammer intercepts communications between a homebuyer and their title company, attorney, or real estate agent — typically by hacking or spoofing email — and sends fraudulent closing instructions with different wire transfer details. Homebuyers wire their down payment or full purchase amount to the scammer's account.
This is one of the most financially devastating scams because the amounts involved are typically hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is also one of the few scam types where the FBI has a dedicated rapid-response mechanism. Call the FBI's field office or the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov immediately and ask about the FBI's 'Financial Fraud Kill Chain' — this is a process the FBI uses to attempt to halt wire transfers before they clear.
Simultaneously, call your sending bank and the receiving bank if known. Banks can sometimes freeze funds in transit or in the receiving account if they act within hours. Every minute counts. If the wire was initiated same-day, there may still be time.
Report to the FBI's IC3, your state real estate commission, your title insurance company (they may have fraud coverage), and your homeowner's insurance provider. Some title insurance policies cover wire fraud losses — review your policy. After the immediate crisis, work with a real estate attorney to understand your options.
Common red flags
- Last-minute email with updated wire transfer instructions for closing
- Closing instructions come from a slightly different email address than normal
- Wire instructions delivered by someone different from your usual contact
- Urgency: told you must wire today or the closing will fall through
- Instructions arrive via text or WhatsApp instead of official email
- No phone call confirmation of wire details with the title company
What to do now
- Call your bank immediately and ask for a wire recall
- Contact the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov and specifically mention real estate wire fraud
- Call the receiving bank if you have the account details
- Contact your title insurance company to review your fraud coverage
- Report to your state attorney general and real estate commission
- Preserve all emails and wire instructions as evidence
Frequently asked questions
Does title insurance cover wire fraud?
Standard title insurance policies typically cover defects in title, not wire fraud losses. However, some title insurers offer endorsements or separate wire fraud protection. Check your specific policy and speak to your agent — some companies have made exceptions for wire fraud victims.
How can I prevent real estate wire fraud?
Always call your title company or attorney at a verified number to confirm wire instructions before sending any funds. Treat any last-minute change in wire instructions as highly suspicious. Never trust wire details sent only by email without a phone confirmation.