Wire Fraud Warning

What Is Wire Fraud?

Wire fraud is a federal crime in which criminals use electronic communications — including email, text messages, and phone calls — to deceive individuals into transferring funds to fraudulent accounts. Real estate transactions are a frequent target because they involve large wire transfers.

How It Happens

Criminals may compromise email accounts belonging to real estate agents, title companies, attorneys, or lenders. They then send fraudulent wire instructions that appear to come from a trusted party, directing you to send funds to an account they control.

Protect Yourself

• Never wire funds based solely on email instructions, even if the email appears to come from your agent, title company, or attorney.
• Always verify wire instructions by calling your agent or title company directly using a phone number you already have on file — not a number provided in the email.
• Be suspicious of any last-minute changes to wire instructions.
• Confirm the wire transfer with your bank before sending.
• Once funds are wired, recovery is extremely difficult. Act with caution before every transfer.

If You Suspect Fraud

If you believe you have been targeted by wire fraud or have already sent funds to a fraudulent account, contact your bank immediately to attempt a recall, then report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and to local law enforcement.

Our Policy

We will never send you wire instructions by email alone. Any wire instructions you receive should be verified by calling our office directly at (201) 333-4443 or Natalie Esfandiari directly at (917) 561-0600 before transferring any funds.

Contact

For questions, please contact Natalie Esfandiari at [email protected] or call (917) 561-0600.