Here are more reasons fighting fraud is a team effort

March is known for madness and luck, but it’s never a good idea to leave your real estate closing to frantic chance. That’s why the Birthright Title team is once again highlighting wire fraud awareness in this space.

You may think we talk about this issue a lot, but a recent survey shows that our efforts must continue. The 2026 edition of the State of Wire Fraud is out, and the figures in it are truly a mixed bag. This report is compiled by experts from CertifID, one of the leaders in cybersecurity in our industry – and a platform utilized by Birthright Title.

What did it say? Wire fraud incidents are still on the rise – and AI tools in the hands of these cybercriminals are making it even easier for these scams to target our buyers, sellers and partners. Here’s why our transactions remain a top target for these sophisticated scam networks.

High-value transactions: The median U.S. home price in 2025 exceeds $400,000, and commercial transactions can reach into the millions.

There’s pressure to get things done fast. Closings operate on tight deadlines, creating urgency that criminals exploit.

Multiple parties are involved: Buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, title companies and attorneys all communicate, creating numerous impersonation opportunities. This is compounded by a lack of unified cybersecurity standards, with practices varying widely across states and companies.

Transactions include public information. Property records, listings and transaction details are often publicly accessible, giving criminals the intelligence they need to make them sound more legitimate from the start of the scam.

Here are some updated stats to know from the survey:

1 in 4 recent buyers report suspicious communication. Getting a possible scam message is very common. While it’s encouraging that buyers recognize fraud as a red flag, this also shows that scammer activity continues to flourish. By just how much? BEC attempts of all kinds are up 1,760% thanks to AI tools like ChatGPT.

Buyers are becoming more aware of fraud risks. So here is some good news, of sorts. 61% of buyers said they were nervous about potential fraud, and almost half (46%) delayed sending funds, just in case. While that may sound negative, it also shows a heightened sense of awareness.  In fact, 85% of consumers claimed they were willing to pay more for services if they knew their transaction was secure. (So, if you’re using anti-fraud software or tools, let your clients know. That peace of mind is invaluable.)

Awareness is not enough. While more people know about the possibility of wire fraud, it’s key that we continue to talk about it as a real threat. Why? Because the effects of falling for a scam like this can be devastating.

Plus, if you dig deeper into the survey results, you’ll discover two alarming statistics: 19% of buyers in the Southern part of the country reported receiving no education about fraud during their transaction, and title professionals across the country said scam attempts have continued to rise substantially. The latter proves that, as much as this topic gets talked about in our industry circles, it’s still a wildly successful scam for the criminals behind these efforts to steal our clients’ money.

Remember to keep spreading the word; if something seems off, it probably is. Next time you’re around one of our Middle Tennessee closing tables, ask us how Birthright Title, with the help of CertifID and other resources, better secures your transaction. We’d love to talk to you more about this subject anytime!