{"success":true,"data":{"id":"fake-real-estate-wire-fraud-closing-scam","label":"Fake real estate wire fraud — updated wire transfer instructions for closing + routing/account number changed + wire down payment today before deadline","description":"Email claiming to be from a title company, escrow agent, settlement attorney, or real estate closing coordinator and providing \"updated\" wire transfer instructions with new routing and account numbers — timed to arrive just before a real estate closing. This is Business Email Compromise (BEC) targeting real estate transactions: attackers compromise or spoof the title company's email and intercept the closing to redirect the down payment or closing funds to a fraudster-controlled account. Average loss per incident: $70,000–$500,000. FBI IC3 2024: real estate wire fraud caused $446M in reported losses; funds are typically irretrievable within hours of transfer. Defense: always verify wire instructions by calling the title company directly using a number from their website (not one in the email) before wiring any funds. Legitimate title companies warn clients to never change wire instructions based solely on email.","tier":"danger","category":"phishing","isThin":false}}