Speed Is the Most Important Variable
In wire fraud cases, every hour you delay reporting reduces your chance of fund recovery. In deed fraud cases, every week you delay allows the fraudster to take out a mortgage, sell the property, or add additional fraudulent liens. Whatever type of fraud you're dealing with — report it today, not next week.
⏱️ The Wire Fraud 72-Hour Window
The FBI's Recovery Asset Team achieves a 71% success rate when wire fraud is reported within 72 hours. After 72 hours, the success rate drops to near zero. If you've wired money to a fraudulent account: stop reading and call your bank right now.
Step 1: Your Bank (Wire Fraud Only)
If you've wired money to a fraudulent account, call your bank's fraud hotline immediately. Request a wire recall or reversal. Ask them to put a hold on the transfer while they investigate. Get the name and direct number of the fraud specialist handling your case.
Important: don't email. Don't use the app. Call the direct fraud hotline — found on the back of your debit card or your bank's official website (not from any email you received).
Step 2: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
File a report at ic3.gov — the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. For wire fraud, this is how you initiate the FBI's Recovery Asset Team process. Fill out every field as completely as possible. Include:
- The fraudulent email addresses used
- The routing and account numbers you wired to
- The exact wire amount and date/time
- All communications you received (screenshots if possible)
- The name and contact information for your real bank/title company
For deed fraud, IC3 is also the correct federal reporting point. Reference "deed fraud" or "real estate title fraud" in your complaint.
Step 3: Local Law Enforcement
File a police report with your local police department or county sheriff. You'll need a police report number for insurance claims, civil litigation, and to provide to your mortgage lender (if involved). Most departments have online reporting for non-emergency fraud — but for active fraud in progress, call 911.
Search the HFD Registry
See if your property address has any prior fraud reports in our database.
Search registry freeStep 4: State Attorney General's Office
Most states have consumer fraud divisions within the AG's office. File a complaint at your state AG's website. In states with active real estate fraud task forces — Florida, California, Texas, New York, Arizona — state-level reporting can trigger faster local investigation. Find your state AG at naag.org.
Step 5: Your County Recorder's Office (Deed Fraud)
For deed fraud, contact your county recorder's office and request that a fraud hold or notation be placed on your property record. Many counties have fraud prevention programs that can flag your property so any future transactions trigger additional review. Ask specifically about fraud alert registration programs.
Step 6: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
If your mortgage lender, escrow company, or any financial institution was involved or failed to prevent fraud, file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB has jurisdiction over mortgage servicers and settlement service providers.
Step 7: Real Estate Attorney for Civil Recovery
Law enforcement reports are for criminal prosecution. Civil recovery — getting your money or property back — requires a private attorney. For deed fraud, a quiet title action is typically necessary. Many real estate attorneys handle fraud cases on contingency, meaning no upfront fees.
📋 Information to Gather Before Reporting
Property address and APN (assessor parcel number) · All email communications received · Wire transfer confirmation and routing/account numbers · Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of all parties involved · Dates of all relevant events · Any documents signed or received