WARNING! WIRE FRAUD ON THE RISE! ALWAYS VERBALLY CONFIRM WIRE INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED VIA EMAIL!

At SSB law we have implemented strong and vigilant internal protection techniques to prevent hacking and wire fraud.  We verbally confirm all wire instructions received via fax or email.  And to err on the side of caution, our IT department has taken steps to ensure our outgoing email is secure and protected against being hacked.

Due to increased fraud, buyers, seller, realtors and lenders should confirm all wiring instructions received via email by phone directly with our office before transferring funds.  

If you receive an email containing WIRE TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS call us immediately to verify the information prior to sending funds.  If you receive a call, call our office at 561-807-7107 to verify wire instructions.

This scam works because the criminal has hacked into one or more of the parties’ email accounts and can read, intercept, delay, or change anything sent via email. If the hacker knows all of the parties’ cell phone numbers or that they have agreed to call each other or take some other action to verify wiring instructions, the hacker will be able to disrupt the verification process you have set up.

Phishing emails might appear to come from a legitimate business or recognized user. Spear phishing is a more targeted email attack sent to a select number of users, while a whaling attack, also known as Business Email Compromise (BEC), is a more targeted variation of spear phishing aimed at executives or personnel who manage wire transfers. 

Once hackers gain access to an email account, they will monitor messages to find someone in the process of buying a home. Hacks can come from various parties involved in a transaction, including real estate agents, title companies, attorneys or consumers. Criminals then use the stolen information to email fraudulent wire transfer instructions dressed up to appear as if they came from the victim. To this end, criminals will use either the victim’s actual email account (which they may actually control) or create a fake email account resembling the victim’s email.

How to Report Cyber Fraud If you feel that your business or information may be compromised through a cyber attack:
-Inform local law enforcement or the state attorney general as appropriate Report stolen finances or identities and other cyber crimes to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
-If a wire transfer was involved, also file a complaint at bec.ic3.gov. 
-Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at www.onguardonline.gov/file-complaint
-Report computer or network vulnerabilities to US-CERT via the hotline: 1-888-282-0870 or www.us-cert.gov