Understand the risk
Scammers sometimes compromise or imitate messages from a real estate agent, settlement company or another professional involved in a closing. The message may use familiar names, logos or details while directing the buyer to send money to a fraudulent account.
Treat an unexpected request, urgent message or last-minute change to payment instructions as a warning sign. A familiar-looking email thread does not prove that the instructions are genuine.
Set up verification before closing
Choose two trusted people involved in the closing and save their primary phone numbers before payment instructions arrive. Get those numbers from an in-person conversation, a signed document or another source you independently trust.
Ask how final payment instructions will be delivered and whether legitimate instructions ever change. This gives you a known process to follow if a later message looks different.
Confirm every payment instruction
Before sending closing funds, confirm the recipient, account details and amount in person or by calling a previously saved phone number. Do not use a phone number, link or attachment from an unexpected email or text to perform that check.
Do not email financial or account information. If payment instructions change, stop and independently verify the change with trusted closing contacts.
Act quickly if money was sent
If you believe money went to the wrong account, call your bank or wire provider immediately and ask it to recall the transfer. Contact the trusted closing parties through saved phone numbers and follow the CFPB guidance below for reporting the incident.
Keep the closing and loan review on track
Compare your Closing Disclosure with your most recent Loan Estimate and ask about any difference you do not understand. Protecting payment instructions does not replace reviewing the loan documents and closing details.
Preapproval is preliminary. Final approval depends on lender review of the borrower, property and complete transaction.
Source review
The official CFPB resources below were checked October 11, 2026. The CFPB closing-scam article shows a last-modified date of June 25, 2026, and the closing page shows a last-modified date of November 3, 2025. This article is general education, not individual loan or legal advice.
General education only. This article does not offer a rate or guarantee loan approval. Loan options depend on your circumstances and lender review.