Real estate has become a top target for cybercriminals—and one of the most dangerous threats in the industry today is email spoofing.
If you’re a realtor, broker, title company, or real estate attorney on Long Island, you’ve probably heard the horror stories: a buyer wires their down payment to the wrong account, a closing gets delayed due to a fake email, or an agent’s reputation is destroyed over a scam they didn’t even send.
As a local IT and cybersecurity provider, we’ve helped real estate professionals across Ronkonkoma, Hauppauge, Melville, and surrounding towns bounce back from these attacks. But prevention is always better—and cheaper—than recovery.
Let’s break down what email spoofing is, how it targets real estate deals, and what you can do to protect yourself and your clients.
What Is Email Spoofing?
Email spoofing is when a cybercriminal forges the “From” address of an email to make it look like it’s coming from someone you trust—your attorney, title company, or real estate agent. The message may include urgent instructions to wire funds, download an attachment, or click a malicious link.
These emails are often very convincing, using correct names, deal details, and formatting. They’re designed to trick someone into taking fast action without verifying.
Why Real Estate Is a Top Target
The real estate industry is especially vulnerable because:
Large financial transactions happen regularly.
Multiple parties are involved (buyers, agents, attorneys, title companies).
Deadlines are tight, creating urgency.
Communication often happens via email and mobile.
In these conditions, attackers thrive.
A Real Example: The Spoofed Attorney Email
A buyer receives what appears to be an email from their real estate attorney with “updated wire instructions” for their closing. The email looks legit—the sender name, email address, and even the attorney’s signature all appear real.
But the bank account details go straight to the criminal.
By the time anyone realizes what happened, the money is gone—and it’s not easy to recover. These attacks can result in tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.
Red Flags to Watch For
Here are a few signs an email may be spoofed:
Slight misspellings in the sender’s address (e.g., attorney@lawmoffice.com instead of lawoffice.com)
Unusual urgency (“Please send payment ASAP to avoid closing delay.”)
Requests to bypass normal procedures
Changes to previously agreed-upon wiring instructions
Typos or grammar issues
How to Protect Your Real Estate Business
1. Implement Email Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC):
These protocols help prevent cybercriminals from spoofing your domain. If your business domain isn’t protected, it’s easier for attackers to impersonate you.
2. Use Encrypted Email Platforms:
Especially for sending sensitive information like wire instructions or contracts. Many real estate agencies and law firms we support now use secure portals instead of standard email.
3. Train Your Staff (and Clients):
Everyone involved in the transaction should be trained to verify requests—especially anything involving money. We offer cybersecurity awareness training specifically for real estate teams.
4. Confirm Wire Instructions by Phone:
Always confirm by calling a verified number (not the one in the email) before sending any funds.
5. Work with a Cybersecurity-Aware IT Partner:
From email monitoring to threat detection and secure communication tools, our team helps Long Island real estate professionals stay protected from evolving threats.
Don’t Let Email Spoofing Derail Your Next Closing
A single spoofed email can ruin a deal, damage your reputation, or cost your client their life savings. But with the right protections in place, your firm can stay one step ahead.
As a Long Island-based MSP, we specialize in IT and cybersecurity solutions for real estate professionals, law firms, and title agencies. Whether you’re in Ronkonkoma, Smithtown, Melville, or Garden City—we’re here to help keep your communications secure and your deals on track.
Let’s Secure Your Email Before Hackers Spoof It
📍 Serving real estate professionals across Long Island
📞 Schedule a free email security checkup for your agency or firm
