Imagine this scenario… It’s two days before closing. The paperwork is signed, the moving truck is booked, and an email that appears to come from the title company with changes the wiring instructions.
The logo, signature, and tone look familiar. The sender’s address differs by one character. But by the time anyone notices, the down payment is gone.
Such schemes are increasingly common. In fact, the National Association of REALTORS® reported that online real estate fraud reached $275 million in 2025, citing FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data on more than 12,000 complaints.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month each October reinforces a vital message: cybersecurity is not only an IT issue; it is everyone’s responsibility.
American Riviera Bank recently partnered with the Santa Maria Association of REALTORS® for a fraud-awareness presentation led by Laurel Sykes, EVP and Chief Risk Officer, and Paul Abramson, EVP and Chief Technology Officer.
By investing in education, the association demonstrated its commitment to helping real estate professionals navigate a rapidly changing threat landscape.
Why the Real Estate Industry Is a Prime Target
Large dollar amounts, tight deadlines, multiple parties, and heavy reliance on email make real estate transactions especially attractive to criminals. C
ommon threats include wire transfer and escrow fraud, business email compromise, seller or title-company impersonation, vendor invoice fraud, payroll diversion, ransomware, and bank impersonation.
“Fraudsters don’t need to break into your systems if they can talk their way past you,” Abramson said. “Almost every loss starts with urgency. Slow down and verify using a phone number you already know, not one provided in the email.”
Cybercriminals Are Leveraging State-of-the-Art Technology
Artificial intelligence, analytics, automated dialing, and social engineering help criminals make scams look legitimate. AI-written emails, voice cloning, and deepfakes can make fraudulent requests difficult to distinguish from real ones.
“We used to tell people to watch for typos and awkward grammar. That’s not enough anymore,” Sykes said. “A cloned voice or polished AI-written email can be convincing, so good processes must do the work instinct used to do.”
Scammers approach victims by text, phone, email, social media, and compromised accounts, creating fear, urgency, or trust to obtain credentials, authorize payments, or prompt malicious clicks. The FTC has identified bank impersonation as the leading impersonation scam, with losses exceeding $3.5 billion.
Practical Steps Everyone Can Take
Even as threats evolve, a few habits can significantly reduce risk:
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
- Inspect email addresses and website URLs; avoid unexpected links.
- Never rely on caller ID or contact details supplied in a suspicious message.
- Confirm payment instructions through a known, trusted phone number.
- Keep devices and software updated, back up critical data, limit access, and report suspicious activity immediately.
“Technology is an important layer of protection, but people are the first line of defense,” Abramson said.
A Community Commitment to Cybersecurity
By convening professionals to discuss fraud trends, emerging threats, and practical prevention strategies, the Santa Maria Association of REALTORS® is helping create a safer environment for members and clients.
“The association didn’t wait for a problem to take this seriously,” Sykes said. “That leadership protects its members and every family buying or selling a home in our community.”
Every industry is a potential target, making year-round education, vigilance, and collaboration essential.
American Riviera Bank is proud to help organizations across industries protect their businesses, clients, and communities from increasingly sophisticated threats.
To schedule a tailored presentation for your team on fraud prevention, cybersecurity best practices, and emerging scams, contact American Riviera Bank.
