Cyber Safety Tips

Cyber safety tips for homebuyers and real estate professionals.

Be cyber smart in your real estate transaction.

Cyber criminals increasingly target real estate transactions because of the large sums of money involved.

Real estate transactions move fast, involve multiple people, and include sensitive information. That makes them a prime target for scammers who impersonate agents, title professionals, and even family members.

But with a few simple, proactive steps, and a trusted partner like First American by your side, you can move forward with confidence at every stage of the transaction.

Cyber Safety Tips
Cyber Tips for Homebuyers Guidance for Real Estate Agents
  1. Confirm wiring instructions directly with your escrow officer.

    Always confirm payment instructions and transaction details by contacting the party involved through verified contact information.

    • Only use a phone number you independently verify and confirm is correct.
    • Be cautious of contact information or wire instructions received through an email. If wiring instructions change unexpectedly, stop immediately and contact your escrow officer.
  2. Be suspicious of urgent or unexpected emails.

    Red flags include:

    • Messages that convey a sense of urgency.
    • Requests to rush or skip verification.
    • Misspellings, odd formatting, or unusual tone.
  3. Never click links or open attachments you aren’t expecting.

    Scammers often use look-alike email addresses, spoof signature blocks, and company logos.

  4. Smart ways to safeguard your personal information.
    • Use long, unique passwords like phrases, numbers and special character combinations.
    • Enable multi-factor authentication, including passkeys.
    • Don’t share financial documents, personal identifying information or sensitive information through unsecured, web-based email providers. Use end-to-end encrypted communication channels when possible.
  5. Talk to your escrow officer and real estate agent about cyber safety and share any concerns that arise during your transaction.

    First American is serious about cybersecurity and helping ensure a safe transaction for its customers.

What to do if something feels off:

Stop. Call. Verify.

If something doesn’t feel right – a rushed email, a change in instructions, a suspicious request — stop immediately and call your real estate agent or your First American escrow professional using a trusted phone number.

Additional Resources

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed protection from wire fraud. The above tips can help reduce risk, but this is not an exhaustive list of all cybersecurity best practices.

Please remain vigilant and, for more information, review the references below.

We’re here to help you close with confidence.

If you have questions or concerns about fraud, digital safety, or your upcoming closing, connect with your First American representative.

Your safety is our priority — and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

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