Protect Yourself From Cyber Fraud
Watch the video and read below to learn how to protect yourself from cyber fraud.

How Your Money Could Get Stolen

1. Hacked email – Hackers get access to the email account of someone involved in the transaction – the buyer, seller, real estate agent, mortgage lender, title agent, or other.
2. Email from hacker – The hacker then emails that person to change the wiring or payment instructions without knowledge from the other parties. The hacker uses an identifying signature line that appears to be that of the title agent, real estate agent, or other party to the transaction, however, it is not completely accurate.
3. Consumer pays wrong account – If not questioned, the wrong account gets the down payment or other funds and the criminal gets away.
4. Closing day – By the time closing day arrives and the mistake is realized, often the funds are long gone.

How to Avoid Wire Fraud

Rule 1: Always question emails that contain wiring instructions.
Hackers have learned to exploit the real estate closing process to steal millions of dollars from people buying or selling a home. HomePartners Title Services will not email you wiring instructions. We will provide you with a portal to download them. HomePartners Title Services will not change its wiring instructions that were originally provided to our customers.

Rule 2: Always call before sending any money.
If you do receive instructions on where to send money prior to closing via email, always call your contact person at the title company to verify. Do not use the telephone number in the email. Use the telephone number on our website. Then call your bank to verify as well.

Rule 3: Always call after sending money.
It’s always a good idea to call right after money is sent. That way, you can verify that it was received by the correct recipient.

Rule 4: Act immediately if anything seems unusual.
Contact your bank, mortgage company, and title company immediately if anything is in question. If something is wrong, you may need to contact your local FBI office.