Don’t Let Cybercriminals Steal Your American Dream: How to Stay Safe from Real Estate Fraud By Michelle Senechal, Realtor® | October 2025

Don’t Let Cybercriminals Steal Your American Dream: How to Stay Safe from Real Estate Fraud

By Michelle Senechal, Realtor® | October 2025

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. It’s exciting, emotional, and, unfortunately, risky if you’re not careful.  According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost a staggering $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a sharp increase from previous years. And one area fraudsters love to target? Real estate transactions.  As a real estate professional with years of experience, I want to share some critical information to help you protect yourself. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading to your dream house, or selling property, cybercriminals are looking for ways to get in on your transaction, and walk away with your money.

Let’s talk about what you need to know.

What Is Phishing (And Why Should Real Estate Clients Care)?

Phishing is a broad term for cyber scams that trick you into revealing personal or financial information. These scams can come through emails, texts, phone calls, or fake websites. Once criminals have access to your sensitive info, like bank details or login credentials, they can steal your identity or hijack real estate transactions.

Real Estate Wire Fraud (REWF)

A particularly dangerous form of phishing is Business Email Compromise (BEC). This happens when a scammer hacks into or spoofs the email of a trusted party, like your agent, title company, or lender. Then they send fake wiring instructions for closing costs or down payments.

And just like that, your life savings could be gone.

Common Real Estate Cyber Threats You Should Know

Here’s a breakdown of terms you may hear, and need to watch for:

1. Spear Phishing

Targeted emails pretending to come from someone you trust (like your agent or escrow officer). These messages often include urgent instructions to transfer funds.

2. Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Fraudulent phone calls that appear to come from your bank or title company, asking you to confirm sensitive financial info.

3. Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Scam text messages with dangerous links or fake phone numbers claiming to be part of your home purchase.

4. Pharming

Malicious code redirects your browser to a fake website, like a phony lender portal, designed to steal your login credentials.

5. Spoofing

Fake email addresses or phone numbers that look just real enough. (Example: michelle@senecalrealty.com vs. michelle@senechalrealty.com)

Deepfakes & Fake Listings: Yes, That’s a Thing Now

With AI technology, scammers can now create deepfake videos or audio that mimic real people. I’ve seen cases where criminals impersonated agents, clients, or attorneys, just to insert themselves into a deal.

They may:

• Pretend to be a client asking for account details
• Make a property look better than it is
• Fake listings for homes that don’t exist
• Alter closing documents

Scary, right?

Other Threats to Be Aware Of:

• Malware: Software that can infect your device when you click on a suspicious link or download an app.
• Ransomware: Criminals lock your files and demand a payment to release them.
• Spyware: Tracks your online activity without your consent.
• Brute Force Attacks: Automated programs try to guess your passwords.
• Tailgating & Shoulder Surfing: These are physical threats, people following you into offices or peeking at your screen or PIN.

How to Protect Yourself in a Real Estate Transaction

Now that you know what’s out there, here’s how to stay safe:

✅ Verify EVERYTHING

Always call your agent or title company directly (using a known number) before sending any money or sharing sensitive data.

✅ Use Strong Passwords

Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.

✅ Beware of Urgency

Scammers love to create a sense of emergency: “Wire the funds NOW or lose the house!” Legitimate professionals won’t pressure you like this.

✅ Secure Your Devices

Install antivirus software, keep your systems updated, and avoid using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions.

✅ Know Who You’re Working With

Stick with reputable, licensed professionals. If anything feels off, it probably is, trust your instincts.

Final Thoughts

Fraudsters are getting smarter, but so can you.

Real estate is still a beautiful path to building wealth, stability, and your future. Don’t let criminals ruin it. By staying informed and vigilant, you can confidently navigate your transaction and focus on what really matters, your next chapter.

If you ever have questions or concerns during your real estate journey, I’m here to help.

Michelle Senechal
Licensed Realtor®
📍 Serving King and Snohomish County
📞 206-889-8213
📧 Michelle.senechal@cbrealty.com
🌐 www.michellesenechal.com

Helping families buy and sell homes safely since 2018