1. Verify Before You Wire

Wire fraud is one of the most common scams in real estate. Criminals impersonate real estate professionals or closing attorneys, sending fraudulent wire instructions to buyers. Before sending any funds, always:

• Call your closing attorney’s office using a verified phone number (not one from an email) to confirm wiring instructions.
• Be wary of last-minute changes—legitimate wiring instructions rarely change.
• Double-check email addresses—fraudsters often create email addresses that look nearly identical to a trusted contact’s.

2. Use Secure Communication

• Avoid sending sensitive financial information (such as bank details or Social Security numbers) via email.
• If you must send documents electronically, use a secure document-sharing platform or encrypted email.
• If something seems suspicious, call to verify before clicking links or downloading attachments.

3. Strengthen Your Passwords

Weak passwords are a hacker’s best friend. Strengthen your security with these steps:

• Use unique, complex passwords for email and financial accounts.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your email, banking, and real estate accounts.
• Consider using a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.

4. Be Cautious of Phishing Scams

Phishing emails are designed to trick you into revealing personal information. Look out for:

• Urgent or threatening language (e.g., “Your account will be closed if you don’t act now!”).
• Unexpected attachments or links—hover over links to preview the URL before clicking. 
• Emails from unknown senders or addresses that look slightly off (e.g., cookandjames.com vs. cookandjarnes.com).

5. Keep Your Devices Secure

Cybercriminals can access your data through compromised devices. Protect yourself by:

• Keeping software and antivirus programs up to date.
• Avoiding public Wi-Fi when accessing financial accounts.
• Regularly backing up important documents to a secure location.

6. Work with Trusted Professionals

Partnering with trusted real estate professionals can provide peace of mind and an extra layer of protection throughout your transaction. At Cook & James, we’re committed to prioritizing cybersecurity to ensure a safe and seamless closing process. If something ever seems off, taking a moment to pause and verify can make all the difference. Staying informed and aware helps keep everyone protected—because cybersecurity is a team effort!

Want to learn more? Contact Cook & James to ensure your real estate transaction is secure from start to finish.

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