Wire fraud has hit the real estate industry across the country, prompting a warning from the Federal Trade Commission. Our strong real estate market here in the Puget Sound area has made us a prime target for this type of theft.
If you are involved in a real estate transaction you need to pay close attention to all communications emailed to you and ensure they are from the official companies you are dealing with. Be sure to double check the email addresses from your title, escrow and mortgage companies match ones you’ve verified to be correct. Before wiring any money, pick up the phone and speak with someone you know and trust who is involved in the transaction. You want to make sure your hard-earned funds are sent to the correct place so your transaction can close on-time.