Escrow Wire Fraud and Wire Instructions
Scammers target home buyers with fake wire instructions. Here's how to protect your money.
Last updated November 2026
How the scam works
A scammer sends an email that looks like it's from your agent or escrow officer, with new wire instructions. If you wire to that account, the money goes to the scammer.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center 2025 report counted 12,368 real estate fraud complaints and $275,110,419 in reported losses. Business email compromise drew 24,768 complaints and $3,046,598,558 in losses (FBI IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report).
Cloud Escrow's policy
We never send or change wire instructions by email. Always call (949) 991-2345 using a number you already know before sending money.
Your 5-step checklist
- Treat any email with new or changed wire instructions as a warning sign.
- Don't use phone numbers or links from that email.
- Call your agent or escrow officer at a known phone number before sending money (California DRE).
- For Cloud Escrow, call (949) 991-2345 and confirm the instructions.
- If something seems wrong after you've sent money, act right away using the steps below.
Cloud Escrow never sends or changes wire instructions by email. Before you send money, call us at (949) 991-2345 using a number you already know.
If you think you've been scammed
- Call your bank immediately and ask it to recall the wire.
- Report it at ic3.gov.
- Call us at (949) 991-2345.
Wire fraud FAQ
Will Cloud Escrow ever email me new wire instructions?
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No. We never send or change wire instructions by email. Always call (949) 991-2345 using a number you already know before sending money.
How do I verify escrow wire instructions?
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Call your agent or escrow officer at a known phone number before sending money, not a number from the email.
What should I do if I wired money to a scammer?
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Call your bank immediately and ask it to recall the wire, report it at ic3.gov, and call us.
Ready to open escrow?
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Customs vary by county, and every cost is negotiable in your purchase agreement.