Safety & scams

Real estate scams usually target money in motion: earnest money, closing funds and assignment payouts. The most common one is wire fraud, where a criminal sends fake wiring instructions that look like they came from a title company. Always confirm wiring instructions by calling a phone number you found yourself, never one listed in the email.

DispoKey never asks sellers to pay us anything, never asks buyers to wire money to a personal account, and never sends login credentials by text message. Closings run through licensed title or escrow companies, and you can confirm who you are speaking with before sharing any documents or personal information.

The guides in this topic explain the warning signs of fake buyers, fake sellers and spoofed emails, what to do if you think you were targeted, and the steps our team takes to verify everyone who uses the marketplace. If something feels rushed or secretive, slow down and check before you sign or send money.

Report suspected wire fraud right away to your bank, the title company and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Quick reporting gives banks the best chance to freeze or recall a transfer. Keep emails, phone numbers and receipts, because investigators will ask for them when you file a complaint.

Treat an unexpected change of payment destination as a reason to pause. Compare the sender’s full address with earlier correspondence, inspect spelling carefully, and be cautious with attachments that ask you to sign in again. A familiar logo or a correct property address does not establish authenticity. Criminals can reuse details from a legitimate conversation to make a fraudulent message appear convincing.

Establish a verification routine before funds are due. Save a trusted contact method for the closing office from an independently checked source, then use that contact to confirm instructions outside the email conversation. Do not rely on a reply to the suspicious message. When checking account details, avoid posting them in a shared chat or forwarding them to people who do not need them.

Protect your marketplace account as well as the transaction. Use a unique password and never share it with someone claiming they need it to release a deal or approve access. If you suspect account misuse, change the password through the normal sign-in process and preserve the suspicious correspondence. Write down the time, requested action and any money already sent. Avoid sending additional funds while you investigate; a second payment request is not evidence that the first transfer was legitimate.