New Mexico homebuyers are being warned about a fast‑growing scam that's costing families across the country their life savings. Criminals are breaking into email accounts, watching real estate deals unfold, and then sending fake messages that trick buyers into wiring their closing funds to the wrong place. Once the money is sent, it's usually gone for good. These scams are happening more often, and New Mexicans have already been hit. In one recent Albuquerque case, a couple lost more than $200,000 after receiving what looked like a normal email from their title company. The message included "updated wiring instructions," but the email address was off by just one letter. By the time they realized something was wrong, the money had already been moved overseas. Similar stories have made headlines nationwide, including a Texas family who lost $123,000 after scammers copied their REALTOR®'s email, and a Colorado buyer who lost $80,000 after receiving a fake "urgent update" that looked completely real.
These scams work because buying a home involves a lot of emails, deadlines, and moving parts. Criminals take advantage of that. They send messages that look exactly like they came from your REALTOR®, lender, or title company — same logo, same tone, same timing. It's incredibly convincing, and it can happen to anyone.
Silver City REALTORS® are urging buyers and sellers to slow down and take a few simple steps to protect themselves. Always call your title company before sending any money, and use a phone number you already know — not one from an email. Be suspicious of any last‑minute changes to wiring instructions, because those are almost always a sign of fraud. After you send a wire, call right away to make sure it arrived safely. And if something feels off, trust your gut and double‑check before moving forward.
Working with a REALTOR® adds another layer of protection. REALTORS® are trained to help clients spot red flags and understand how these scams work. They can walk you through the process and help you stay safe from the first showing to the closing table.
This alert is based on guidance from the National Association of REALTORS®' consumer resource, How to Protect Against Real Estate Wire Fraud, available at facts.realtor. The goal is simple: make sure New Mexicans have the information they need to protect their money and their home‑buying dreams.
