Establish trusted contacts early
Mortgage closing scams can use familiar names, realistic email threads and urgent timing. The CFPB advises homebuyers to agree on a trusted communication process with the people handling closing. Do that before you receive instructions to move funds.
Keep independently verified contact details in a place you control. An email signature, a number inside an unexpected message or a reply in a compromised thread is not independent verification. If payment instructions change, use the trusted contact path you established rather than the new one supplied in the message.
Send documents through the intended secure channel
General website forms are useful for introductions and questions. They are not the right place for Social Security numbers, bank records or borrower documents. Use the selected loan officer’s secure application and confirm any separate document-request process directly.
Treat an unexpected request for credentials, unusual payment or additional sensitive information as something to verify. A person knowing your name or property address does not prove the message is authentic. Slow the conversation down enough to confirm who is asking and why.
If something is wrong, act promptly
If you believe funds were sent to a fraudulent destination, contact your bank or transfer provider immediately and follow the official reporting guidance. The CFPB closing-scam resource links the relevant steps and reporting channels. Do not wait for an email conversation to resolve the uncertainty.
Your loan officer can help clarify the legitimate financing workflow, but cannot guarantee recovery of transferred funds. The practical habit is simple: use known channels, verify material changes independently and keep sensitive information out of informal communications.
Sources & context
Team educational content. Related professionals are contact options, not personal authors or reviewers of this article. Decisions and availability require transaction-specific review.