How Real Estate Wire Fraud Affects South Florida Buyers & Sellers—and How Southern Title Protects You

Wire Fraud in Real Estate: A Growing Threat

Real estate wire fraud continues to rise, affecting buyers, sellers, and agents across the country—including right here in South Florida. Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated, infiltrating email communications between buyers, title companies, and real estate professionals to steal closing funds.

According to the FBI, real estate fraud losses exceeded $200 million in 2023, with Florida ranking among the states most frequently targeted. Given the fast-moving nature of South Florida’s real estate market—from luxury waterfront properties in Boca Raton and Palm Beach to high-value commercial transactions in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale—buyers and agents need a trusted, attorney-backed title company to safeguard their transactions.

At Southern Title, we’ve worked with clients who have encountered these fraudulent schemes firsthand. By leveraging our secure escrow and closing processes, attorney oversight, and industry-leading fraud detection measures, we help real estate professionals and their clients navigate these risks effectively.

Recent Cases Show the Real Cost of Wire Fraud

Real estate wire fraud is not just a hypothetical risk—it’s happening in real transactions across the country:

• Raegan Bartlo, West Virginia: In March 2025, Bartlo wired her $255,000 life savings to what she thought was her title company. Scammers had intercepted the email chain and provided fraudulent wiring instructions. Fortunately, by acting quickly, she recovered about half of her funds. (Source)
• Darryl Aldrich, Virginia: Aldrich and his wife lost $28,000 when they received fake wiring instructions from an email impersonating their title company. Only quick action from their bank prevented the complete loss of funds. (Source)

These cases underscore the financial and emotional toll of real estate fraud. In South Florida, where high-value transactions are common, these scams can have even greater consequences.

How Southern Title Protects Buyers, Sellers & Real Estate Agents

At Southern Title, we take wire fraud seriously and have developed stringent security measures to protect our clients:

• Attorney Oversight & Secure Escrow Handling: Our attorney-backed title services ensure every wire transfer is vetted, verified, and safeguarded. We work directly with buyers, sellers, and agents to confirm all wire details securely.
• Multi-Step Wire Verification Process: Before any wire transfer, our team personally verifies all banking details via a confirmed phone call to a verified contact—never through email alone.
• Education & Client Awareness: We educate real estate agents, lenders, and homebuyers on best practices to identify phishing attempts, avoid fraudulent instructions, and verify every financial request.

Protect Yourself: Steps to Avoid Wire Fraud

While working with a trusted title company like Southern Title is the best protection, real estate professionals and buyers can take these additional steps:

• Verify wire instructions via phone: Call your title company using a phone number from their official website, NOT from an email. Never click on a link from an email. Always access the bank, lender, or mortgage company's website directly, login with your credentials, and validate through their system before engaging.
• Watch for last-minute changes: Sudden updates to wiring instructions are a red flag. Southern Title will never change wire instructions via email.
• Use secure email practices: Enable two-factor authentication on your email account and never open unexpected attachments.
• Confirm receipt of funds: After sending a wire, verify with the recipient that the funds were received at the correct destination.

At Southern Title, we don’t just facilitate real estate transactions—we protect them. Whether you’re closing on a waterfront condo in Palm Beach, a commercial development in Fort Lauderdale, or a residential property in Wellington, our expertise ensures that your funds and your transaction remain secure.