Happy Cybersecurity Awareness Month from Birthright Title!

October is known as a month of friendly frights and spooky tricks, but there’s another scary topic we should be discussing right now: Cybersecurity. After all, it’s also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which is why the Birthright Title team is once again using this blog space to talk about the dangers of wire fraud.

While most know about phishing emails, these fraudulent messages still work despite years of warnings. Why? An email inbox is a crowded place, and these scammers are getting better and better at their depiction. Gone are the days of obvious typos and bad grammar. (In fact, they’re even using AI against us.) So, our guard must stay up. Next time you get an email you weren’t expecting – whether you’re a soon-to-be buyer or one of our fellow real estate professionals  – keep these signs in mind.

1. Generic greetings. Phishing emails often use generic greetings because they don’t know your name. Phishers mass send these emails, so they don’t personalize their messages until they’ve compromised an account and have a specific target in mind.
2. Messages that seem urgent.  Be wary of emails that create a sense of urgency or instill fear. If you’ve communicated with the supposed sender before, pause to make sure their tone matches previous messages.
3. Request for personal information. Emails asking for personal details like passwords, Social Security numbers or bank details are typically phishing attempts, especially if they use scare tactics.
4. Random links or attachments. Phishing emails often include links that direct you to a compromised site. Hover over the link to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t match, it’s likely the work of a scammer.
5. A signature that looks a little off. Once a scammer has infiltrated an account, they’ll do whatever it takes to make their messages seem legitimate. That includes trying to duplicate a personal email signature or other elements.

Now that you have phishing on your radar, here are three ways to add extra security to your email account.

• Change passwords often. This isn’t new advice, but switching up your passwords frequently is truly one of the best ways to protect yourself these days. Of course, make sure they are unique and strong, too.
• Report spam messages to your email provider/IT department. If you thwart a scam message, do this one extra step. While most email services today have robust spam filters, if a message slipped through to you, you or your colleagues might face similar threats down the line.
• Take extra time to look over the message again. We all hope this fall and winter stay busy for all of us in real estate, but slowing down when dealing with email could make all the difference in avoiding a scammer or being the next victim.

We know. Talking about fraud isn’t the most fun topic around, but it’s so important to keep it on our radar, no matter what else is happening around us. If something seems off, it probably is. Remember, you can always verify information with us! We’re here to make sure your Middle Tennessee closing experience is all treats and no tricks this season.