Stay safe

Protect your money and your home

Home sales move a lot of money, so scammers target them. These habits stop most scams.

1. Call before you wire

Scammers send emails that look exactly like your escrow company's, with “new” bank details.
Before you send any money, call your escrow officer at a number you looked up yourself (their official website or your contract), never a number from the email.
Escrow rarely changes wiring instructions. Treat any change as a scam until you've confirmed it by phone.
You can agree on a code phrase with your escrow officer to use on calls.
If you think you've been tricked, call your bank right away, then escrow, then report it at ic3.gov ↗.

A “buyer” sends too much money (often a check) and asks you to send back the difference. Stop. The check will bounce after you've paid.
Real buyers pay through escrow. Never accept a deposit or payment yourself.
Ask every buyer the same thing: a lender pre-approval letter or proof of funds.
Never give out bank logins, and never install software someone asks you to.

Criminals sometimes forge a deed to “sell” or borrow against a home they don't own.
Riverside County mails the owner a courtesy notice within about 30 days when a deed or similar document is recorded on their property. Open it.
Got a notice for something you didn't sign? Call the Riverside County District Attorney's Real Estate Fraud Unit at 1-877-723-7779.

Be wary of unsolicited offers to buy your home fast for cash, especially if they push you to sign today.
Never sign anything you don't fully understand. Have an attorney or someone you trust read it first.
A real buyer will give you time to get advice.

Show by appointment, and ask every visitor for their name and phone number first, the same for everyone.
Have a friend or family member with you, and put away valuables, medicines, keys and mail.
You can end a showing at any time.

My escrow company: ______________________________

Phone I looked up myself: ______________________________

My escrow officer: ______________________________

Our code phrase: ______________________________

Never wire money based only on an email or text.
Call the number above, not one from an email, to confirm every wiring instruction.
Wiring details changed? Treat it as a scam until escrow confirms by phone.
Something wrong? Call your bank right away, then escrow. Report at ic3.gov.

From DTO Homes. Keep this card by your phone.

See something suspicious on a listing? Use “Report this listing” on its page. More help: Help · Who does what