Cyber criminals/hackers are targeting email accounts of various parties involved in real estate transactions, escrow agents, mortgage brokers, and real estate brokers. Among other concerns, this can lead to fraudulent wire instructions being used to divert funds to the cyber criminals’ bank accounts. These emails may look like legitimate emails from the proper party.

State Capital Mortgage strongly recommends that you and others working on your real estate or mortgage transactions should refrain from placing any sensitive personal and financial information in an email directly or through an email attachment. When you need to share Social Security numbers, bank accounts, credit card numbers, wiring instructions, or similar sensitive information, Brokerage recommends using more secure needs, such as providing the information in person, over the phone, or through a secure mail, protected with a strong safeguard or package services whenever possible.

Never trust wiring instructions sent via email. Cyber criminals are hacking email accounts and sending emails with fake wiring instructions. These emails are convincing and sophisticated. Always independently confirm wiring instructions in person or via a telephone call to a trusted and verified phone number. Never wire money without double-checking that the wiring instructions are correct. You should call them at a number that you obtain on your own through your personal agent, and NOT use the phone number or any contact information in the email in order to be sure that you are contacting a legitimate party.