In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is no longer optional; it’s essential. Real estate professionals handle sensitive financial data, wire transfers, and personal information of their clients on a daily basis. One small breach can lead to major financial losses, legal liabilities, and irreparable damage to your hard-earned reputation.
Here’s what every agent and broker should know to stay protected in 2025.
The Growing Threat: Why Real Estate Is a Target
The real estate industry has become a top target for cybercriminals. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, real estate wire fraud alone accounted for over $446 million in losses in 2024, and email-related cyberfraud totaled almost $3 billion in one year!
Hackers often impersonate real estate agents, clients, or escrow officers through phishing emails or spoofed domains, tricking the victims into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts. They use high-pressure tactics as the transaction moves closer to closing, knowing that many clients aren’t as detail-oriented as they should be regarding money transfers. By the time the unsuspecting client realizes the mistake, it is usually too late.
Top Cybersecurity Risks
- Email Spoofing & Phishing Attacks – Fraudsters impersonate trusted contacts to request wire transfers or share malicious links.
- Ransomware Attacks – Criminals encrypt company data and demand payment for its release.
- Weak Passwords & Lack of Multi-factor (MFA) – Many data breaches occur because users reuse or share passwords.
- Unsecured Devices & Wi-Fi Networks – Remote work increases exposure to unsecured connections.
- Data Storage Vulnerabilities – Improper handling of client files and digital records can lead to information leaks.
How to Protect Your Business
✅ Verify wire instructions using secured online portals such as Closinglock or verbally using a trusted phone number before every transfer. Educate clients and other involved parties to double-check any requests for money transfers during the transaction.
✅ Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all accounts. Many easy-to-use and free online tools exist, such as Google Authenticator, and the use of one-time codes connected to your mobile device.
✅ Use encrypted email systems for sensitive data. Even popular email platforms such as Gmail offer enhanced security modes.
✅ Train your team to recognize phishing and fraud attempts. Here is a great resource with tips on how to spot a phishing attempt.
✅ Keep software and antivirus systems up to date.
✅ Secure Wi-Fi connections in all office and remote work environments. Always use a VPN in public spaces.
✅ Limit access permissions to essential personnel only.
💡 Tip: Always confirm any change in payment instructions via a phone call to a known number; never rely solely on email.
Free Resource: Folio Title Cybersecurity Checklist
To help you implement these best practices, FOLIO Title has created a free downloadable checklist for real estate professionals and title companies.
You can download it here:📎 FolioTitle Cybersecurity Checklist
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. By combining awareness, secure tools, and clear communication, we can protect our clients and maintain trust across every transaction.
At FOLIO Title, we’re committed to keeping your closings safe because peace of mind is the most valuable asset in any deal. FOLIO has partnered up with Closinglock, a leading secure online platform for real estate closings, aimed at preventing fraud and streamlining the process. Its key features include identity verification, secure document sharing, and digital payments, which protect against wire fraud and provide a central, transparent hub for all closing-related activities. The company’s services are designed to protect both buyers and sellers.