When you buy, sell, or refinance a home, you’ll be required to submit personal information to your lender and title company. This information may include your social security number, bank account information and credit/loan information. Unfortunately, there is always someone waiting to steal your information and even money through real estate transactions.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND REMEMBER TO:
- Always carefully examine the email address from which you receive updates on your transaction to ensure it’s correct. One tactic hackers use is to send you an email from an email address that looks almost identical to the email address you’ve been receiving emails from all along. Very few people catch the difference leaving you open to fraud. If an email seems suspicious, notify your real estate agent and title company immediately.
- Call your title company immediately if you receive an email requesting to change the wiring instructions for anything related to your transaction.
- Carefully review your personal information on your transaction paperwork to ensure it is correct.
- Communicate or confirm any changes to the transaction with your real estate agent and title company over the phone or in person.
- Do not provide information about yourself or your transaction to any unknown or unnecessary parties.
- Contact your title company or real estate agent if you suspect your email address is being improperly used or if you do not receive funds in a timely fashion.