Protect Your Funds From Wire Fraud
Take a few simple precautions before transferring money
Real estate transactions often involve large wire transfers, making buyers and sellers frequent targets for fraud. Criminals may impersonate a title company, lender or real estate agent by using a similar email address, copied logo or familiar-looking message.
Never rely on emailed wire instructions alone. Protect your funds by independently verifying the information before sending money.
Before You Send a Wire
Call a trusted number. Contact BCA directly using the phone number listed on our website.
Question unexpected changes. Treat any last-minute change to wiring instructions, account information or payment details as a warning sign. Stop and verify the request by phone before taking action.
Confirm the recipient. Ask your bank to verify that the name associated with the receiving account matches the intended recipient before releasing the funds.
After Sending Your Wire
Confirm receipt. Call BCA promptly using a trusted phone number to make sure your funds were received by the correct account.
Keep records. Save your wire confirmation and any related communication until your transaction has been completed.
If You Suspect Wire Fraud
Act immediately. The sooner the fraud is reported, the better the opportunity may be to stop or recover the transfer.
- Contact your bank’s fraud or wire department and request that it stop or recall the wire.
- Notify BCA and the other parties involved using trusted phone numbers.
- Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
- Contact your local law enforcement agency.
