CLOSING SECURITY
Avoiding Wire Fraud at Your Idaho Closing
By Kootenai Title Editorial · Updated June 19, 2026 · 5 min read
The most dangerous moment in a real estate purchase isn’t the inspection or the appraisal — it’s the wire transfer. Criminals target homebuyers’ closing funds with fake wiring instructions, and once the money is sent, it’s extremely hard to recover. Here’s how to protect your down payment and closing funds in a North Idaho transaction.
How real estate wire fraud works
Scammers monitor email — often by compromising a real estate agent’s, title company’s, or buyer’s account — and wait for a transaction to near closing. Then they send an email that looks like it’s from your title company or agent, with “updated” or “corrected” wiring instructions that route your funds to the criminal’s account. The email may use real names, logos, and transaction details, which makes it convincing.
The one rule that prevents it
Before you send a single dollar, verify the wiring instructions by phone using a number you obtained independently — from a document you were given in person, the company’s official website, or a contact you already trust. Never use a phone number or link contained in the email itself. Confirm both the account information and that the request is genuine.
Red flags to watch for
- Any email changing or “updating” wiring instructions, especially at the last minute.
- Pressure to act quickly or secrecy around the wire.
- Slight differences in an email address, domain, or signature block.
- A request to send funds to a different bank, state, or account name than you expected.
If you think you’ve been targeted — act immediately
Time is critical, because a fast response can sometimes stop or recall a wire:
- Call your bank right away and ask them to attempt a wire recall.
- Contact your title/escrow company and real estate agent to alert everyone in the transaction.
- Report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
How a title company helps protect you
A reputable title and escrow company will give you its wiring instructions through a secure, verified channel and will expect you to call and confirm before sending funds. When in doubt, pick up the phone and call our office directly using the number on our website or your closing paperwork — we would always rather take a verification call than see a buyer lose their funds.
This article is educational and not legal, tax, or financial advice. See our Editorial Policy.
Related Glossary Terms
Last updated June 19, 2026
This article is educational and not legal advice. See our Editorial Policy.