Home Buyer Scams: How Scammers Target and Steal Your Money

The Rise of Real Estate Scams

• ⚠️ Scammers are increasingly targeting individuals looking to buy homes, aiming to trick them into wiring money to fraudulent accounts.
• 🎯 These scams often involve hackers impersonating real estate agents, lenders, or title companies to send fake wire instructions.

Victimization and Awareness

• 📊 The National Realtors Association's 2025 State of the Wire report indicates that first-time home buyers are three times more likely to fall victim to these scams.
• 💡 A significant portion of consumers (52%) are either not aware or only somewhat aware of these fraud risks.
• 📉 Approximately 1 in 20 consumers become victims, often realizing it too late.

Protecting Yourself from Scams

• 📞 If you receive unexpected instructions to send or wire money, always verify them by contacting your realtor, lender, or title provider directly.
• 🏠 Realtors emphasize the importance of discussing these risks with clients from the very beginning of the home-buying process, even before actively searching for properties.
• 🔑 Always verify before transferring any money to ensure the legitimacy of the transaction and protect your funds.