AI & Cyberattacks in Real Estate: What Buyers Must Watch For

I just attended a cyber security seminar and yikes!.....There is a lot to pay attention to.

Real estate transactions move fast, involve large sums of money, and rely heavily on email — which makes the industry a prime target for modern cybercrime. With AI now powering more convincing scams, buyers need to stay sharper than ever during escrow.

AI‑Driven Email Fraud

Cybercriminals use AI to mimic agents, lenders, and escrow officers with near‑perfect emails and even deepfake voice calls.

Watch for:

• Slightly altered email addresses - I always hover over the email to see if it is actually coming from the company or person.

• “Updated wire instructions”

• Urgent or secretive requests

• Messages sent at odd hours

• An unexpecgted invitation for a meeting, a folder link, or docusign. sent it.

Protect yourself:

• NEVER rely on emailed wire instructions

• Always call the title/escrow company using a verified number

• Confirm communication channels at the start of escrow

• NEVER click on any links or icons UNLESS you know exactly what it is. If in doubt, verify directly with the person who supposedly sent it.

Using AI Tools for Contract or Financial Review

Uploading your purchase agreement or loan documents into public AI tools may expose sensitive data — and the legal advice they give is often wrong.

Risks:

• Data storage or reuse by the AI platform

• Incorrect contract interpretation

• Exposure of loan amounts, ID numbers, or addresses

Safer approach:

• Ask your Realtor or lender for plain‑language explanations

• Use only secure, approved document portals

Title Company Verification

Wire fraud almost always involves impersonating a title or escrow company — and AI makes fake websites, emails, and documents look real.

Buyer checklist:

• Verify your escrow officer’s contact info early

• Confirm wire instructions through two independent sources

• Remember: legitimate title companies rarely change instructions mid‑transaction

Fake Invoices & Vendor Scams

AI makes fraudulent invoices and vendor impersonations look legitimate.

Stay alert for:

• Surprise charges for inspections or repairs

• Payment requests from unfamiliar accounts

• Request for payment by wire from local vendors - very unusual and highly suspect

Protect yourself:

• Only pay vendors verified by your Realtor or escrow team

• Confirm any unexpected invoice before sending money

AI has made cybercrime faster, smarter, and harder to spot — but simple verification steps can protect buyers from the most common threats. When in doubt, pause, verify, and loop your Realtor or escrow officer back in and always......pay attention!