A scam story involving a fake NFL player is worth talking about

Fall in Tennessee means crisp mornings, colorful leaves, Friday night lights and plenty of football talk. It’s also a good time to huddle up about a topic that deserves everyone’s attention: fraud. At Birthright Title, we talk with buyers, sellers and real estate professionals about protecting money all year long. Still, every so often, a headline reminds us to run through the basics again.

So, while the recent viral scam story involving a fake NFL player didn’t involve the kind of wire fraud we’re always guarding against or our hometown Titans, it’s certainly worth highlighting here.

Here’s what happened: an alleged scammer, Daejon Love, is accused of scamming at least 26 victims out of $1.3 million by posing at different times as either a player for the San Francisco 49ers or a wealthy real estate investor.

The Birthright Title team knows it sounds like a ridiculous premise. After all, it’s easy to figure out who is — and who isn’t — on an NFL roster. But fraudsters of all kinds are always banking on their targets not paying close attention. So, while the details sound like something drawn up for a bad trick play, the lesson is very real: a believable story, a little confidence and the right timing can move people off their game plan.

That’s the play we know all too well in real estate, too. These fraudsters we’re constantly trying to tackle have many favorite schemes to rush someone before a closing. Doing that while everyone else is watching the clock and trying to close a deal can be especially lucrative.

Here are some of their most-called plays.

• Posing as a fake seller or impersonating a legitimate seller
• Hacking into and then spoofing an email address
• Sending fake wiring instructions to a new account they control

That’s why verification matters. Before sending funds, changing instructions or responding to an unexpected request, take a time out. For real estate agents, lenders, buyers and sellers across Middle Tennessee, here’s our game-day advice: Treat unexpected emails like an opposing blitz. Look closely at the sender, question sudden changes, avoid clicking suspicious links and never rely on emailed wire instructions alone. If something feels off, check with us. Audibles happen near closing day, but urgent ones are rare. Think about it this way: a quick timeout can protect everyone.

Have questions about fraud or anything else title and settlement-related? Contact us anytime. Otherwise, we’ll always be here, taking you on the final drive to the beginning of your home sweet home.