The one rule that matters most: our wiring instructions never change during a transaction. If you receive new, revised, or "updated" wiring instructions by email or text — even from an address that looks like ours — do not send funds. Call us at (813) 722-0108 using the number on this website, not a number from the suspicious message.
How the scam works
Business email compromise is a billion-dollar criminal industry, and real estate closings are its favorite target. Criminals monitor email traffic around a transaction — often by compromising the email account of a buyer, agent, or other party — and wait until closing is near. Then they send the buyer wiring instructions that look legitimate: correct names, correct property address, familiar logos, and an email address one character off from the real one.
The money goes to the criminal's account, is moved offshore within hours, and is very often unrecoverable. Victims routinely lose their entire down payment or sale proceeds.
How we protect your funds
- Our wiring instructions never change. If anything you receive says otherwise, it is fraud.
- We deliver wiring instructions securely and confirm them verbally. We will never email you a last-minute change.
- We verify before we disburse. Outgoing disbursements follow verification procedures, and escrow funds are held in protected, insured escrow accounts.
- We answer the phone. If you're ever unsure about any communication that appears to come from us, call and a real person in our Clearwater office will confirm — it takes two minutes.
Rules to follow for every closing
- Verify by phone before wiring — every time. Call us at (813) 722-0108 using the number from this website or your closing documents, never a number contained in an email or text.
- Confirm the account details verbally, reading back the account and routing numbers, before your bank sends anything.
- Treat changes as fraud until proven otherwise. "Updated instructions," "our account changed," "send to this new bank" — hang up and call us.
- Beware of urgency. Scammers manufacture pressure: closing will be delayed, funds must be sent in the next hour. Legitimate closings do not work that way.
- Check the email address character by character. Look-alike domains (an extra letter, a swapped character, .net instead of .com) are the most common trick.
- After wiring, call to confirm receipt. We'll verify your funds arrived in escrow.
If you think you've been targeted
Minutes matter. If you sent a wire and suspect fraud:
- Call your bank immediately and ask them to attempt a wire recall or SWIFT recall.
- Call our office at (813) 722-0108 so we can assist and document.
- File a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov — recovery odds are highest within the first 24–48 hours.
- Report to local law enforcement and keep every email, text, and record related to the transaction.
Questions before you wire?
We would always rather take your call twice than have you wire once to the wrong place. Call (813) 722-0108 or email our team any time you're uncertain — about wiring or anything else in your closing.
