If anything, they work harder, knowing people are more credulous when filled with the holiday spirit
So we're getting ready to celebrate Independence Day this weekend, and you're celebrating twice as hard because you're getting ready to close on a new home! Congratulations, but beware.
You're agent is probably working extra hard to close before the banks close for the long weekend, but he or she (or both in our case) needs to beware, as do you. The risk of ripoff is exponentially greater at times like this. You and your agent(s) should take the following steps to prevent home sale fraud:
1. Wire and other funds disbursement instructions should be verified on the telephone, using a known or confirmed number, not the number at the bottom of the email.
2. Be exceptionally wary of any last-minute changes in disbursement instructions. It's very unusual for title companies to change wiring instructions and payment information using email.
3. Considering receiving wire instructions using hard copy only.
4. Ask your bank to confirm the name on the wire before wiring any money.
5. Call the title company or agent to verify that the funds have been received. If you wired money to the wrong account, the sooner you act, the better will be your chances of recovering the funds.
6. Keep your operating system software, browser, and security software up to date.
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