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Home Fraud Defense™ — Emergency resource. General information for fraud-victim triage, not legal or financial advice. For action on your specific case, contact your bank’s fraud line, a licensed attorney, and local law enforcement.Terms · Privacy · ← Home

Emergency · Time-Sensitive Recovery

You think you've been scammed. Take a breath. Then act fast.

You are not stupid. You are not alone. This is not the end. Real estate wire fraud is one of the most damaging consumer financial crimes because the criminals are organized and skilled. Recovery is possible in many cases — the first 72 hours offer the highest probability of recovery, but options remain beyond that window. The next few minutes matter more than the last few hours of worry. We'll walk you through it.

Your recovery window

What did you do?

How long ago?

Critical 72-hour window — openBanks can sometimes recall fraudulent wires through SWIFT or correspondent-bank channels in the first 72 hours, and the FBI Financial Fraud Kill Chain — initiated by the FBI after an IC3 filing — can coordinate to freeze receiving accounts. Speed matters more than completeness. Call your bank's fraud line first, file at IC3.gov, complete the rest of the steps after.

First Action — Right Now

Before you read anything else: call your bank's fraud line.

Call the number on the back of your debit or credit card.

Not the number from any email. Not the number a stranger gave you. Use the number physically printed on your card, or the official number on your bank's website that you type into your browser yourself. When the operator answers, say: "I think I've been the victim of fraud. I need to speak to your fraud department."

Why this is first

The fraud department has tools the regular customer service line doesn't — wire recall procedures, account freezing, transaction reversals. Calling them first is the action with the highest possible recovery value, and the one most time-sensitive.

What to tell them

The transaction date, the amount, the receiving bank or person, the type of payment (wire, ACH, Zelle, card), and that you want them to attempt a wire recall through SWIFT or correspondent-bank channels. The FBI Financial Fraud Kill Chain is initiated by the FBI separately, after you file at IC3.gov.

Situation Triage

Now tell us what happened

Recovery steps differ by what was lost and how. Pick the option that matches your situation. We'll walk you through the right response below.

If you sent a wire transfer

Wire fraud is among the costliest single-event fraud types in real estate transactions. Banks can sometimes recall wires through SWIFT or correspondent-bank channels, and the FBI Financial Fraud Kill Chain — initiated by the FBI after an IC3 filing — can coordinate with foreign banks and FinCEN to freeze receiving accounts. The recall window is short. Speed beats completeness.

Do these in this order, right now

Call your bank's fraud line In the next 5 min

Use the number on the back of your card. Tell them you may be the victim of wire fraud and request a SWIFT recall through their fraud team. Then file at IC3.gov within 72 hours (Step 2) so the FBI can review your case for the Financial Fraud Kill Chain — a federal protocol that coordinates with foreign banks and FinCEN to freeze receiving accounts. The FBI generally prioritizes higher-dollar requests but accepts and reviews all amounts. File regardless of dollar size.

File at IC3.gov Within 72 hours

Go to ic3.gov directly (type the URL — don't search). The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center is the federal entry point and your bank's recall request is strengthened when there's an open IC3 case. Reference your bank's wire confirmation number when you file.

Notify your title or escrow company Within 1 hour

Use a phone number you obtained independently (not from any email, not from the wire instructions). Their email account may already be compromised. Tell them what happened, in writing, after the call. Keep records of every communication.

File a police report Within 24 hours

Local law enforcement will create a report number you'll need for everything that follows — bank disputes, insurance claims, civil action. Most departments now have a fraud unit specifically for this. Mention "wire fraud" and "real estate transaction" so they route correctly.

Contact a real estate attorney Within 48 hours

Time-sensitive legal options exist. An HFDCP™ Certified agent in your area can refer you to attorneys who handle wire fraud recovery cases. The earlier the attorney is involved, the more options remain available.

Then complete these

Place a free credit fraud alertWire fraud often comes with identity-data exposure. Equifax · Experian · TransUnion. Alerting one bureau auto-alerts the other two.

File at FTC ReportFraudreportfraud.ftc.gov. FTC consumer-protection database. Feeds Consumer Sentinel which is shared with state AGs.

Notify your homeowner's insurance carrierMost homeowners policies exclude wire fraud. A small number of carriers offer cyber-fraud or fraud-recovery riders that may apply. Worth a 15-minute call to check, but don't expect coverage as the default.

Contact your state's attorney generalState-level filings sometimes recover what federal can't. Detailed below in your state's resource block.

Save every communicationEmails, screenshots, voicemails, transaction confirmations. Save to a folder. Don't delete anything. Don't reply to the suspected fraudster.

Document a written timelineDate and time of every action you took, every person you spoke to, every reference number you received. You'll be asked for this multiple times.

Don't do these — they make recovery harder

—Don't email the title company about the fraud. Their email account may be compromised — your message could reach the criminal who is now on alert and may move funds further. Use phone only, with a verified number, until you confirm their email is secure.

—Don't send "verification" payments to recover the original. If anyone — including someone claiming to be from your bank — asks you to send another payment to "release" or "verify" the first one, that is a follow-on scam targeting fraud victims specifically. Real recovery never requires you to send more money.

—Don't post about it on social media yet. Public posts can compromise the law enforcement investigation and tip off the criminals. Wait until your bank, the FBI, and any attorney involved confirm it's safe.

—Don't pay for "recovery services" you find by searching online. Fraud-recovery scams target victims by advertising guaranteed-recovery services. Real recovery happens through your bank, the FBI, and licensed attorneys — not through ads.

—Don't delete any messages or evidence. Even if they make you feel sick to look at. Investigators will need them.

Realistic expectation: Wire fraud recovery is possible but not guaranteed. Recoveries within the 72-hour window have meaningfully better outcomes than recoveries after that window. Domestic wires are harder to recall than international wires. Your bank's fraud team will know within hours whether recall is feasible — call them first.

Federal Reporting · Always Complete

Three filings everyone should make

Regardless of which situation matched yours, complete these three federal filings within 72 hours. They feed law enforcement databases that help track fraud rings even when your individual recovery isn't possible.

First

FBI IC3

Internet Crime Complaint Center. Federal entry point for all internet-enabled fraud. File within 72 hours so the SWIFT recall window stays open. The case number you receive is referenced by your bank and any attorney working your case.

ic3.gov

Second

FTC ReportFraud

Federal Trade Commission consumer-fraud database. Feeds Consumer Sentinel which is shared with state attorneys general nationwide. Even if you don't recover funds, your filing helps build cases against fraud rings that target others.

reportfraud.ftc.gov

Third

IdentityTheft.gov

FTC's identity-theft recovery site. Generates a customized recovery plan based on what was compromised and creates the federal reporting record you'll need if anyone tries to use exposed information later.

identitytheft.gov

Your State's Emergency Resources

Arizona-specific contacts and offices

State-level filings matter in addition to federal. Consumer-protection offices, the state real estate commission, and county recorder fraud units can take action in cases the federal agencies don't address.

Your state:

Arizona AG · Consumer Protectionwww.azag.gov/consumer/complaint

Arizona Department of Real Estateazre.gov/consumers

FBI Phoenix Field Officewww.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/phoenix

Maricopa County Recorder · Fraud Unitrecorder.maricopa.gov

Arizona Department of Insurance & Financial Institutionsdifi.az.gov

All Arizona County Recorders · Directoryazcounties.org/

Don't see your state? Search "[your state] attorney general consumer protection" in a new tab and confirm the page is on a .gov domain before submitting any complaint. Find your FBI field office at fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices.

Find a Home Fraud Defense Professional Near You

HFDCP™ certified agents are trained to recognize fraud patterns and know the immediate response steps.

They can help a homeowner or buyer understand what they're looking at and where the official reporting channels are (FBI IC3, ADRE, county recorder fraud alert, local police, their bank).

They are not attorneys, not investigators, not recovery specialists.

First, take these steps now.

Call your bank's fraud line (number on the back of your card)
File a report with the FBI at IC3.gov
Contact your local police (non-emergency line)

Then, talk to a fraud-trained professional. Once your immediate reports are filed, an HFDCP™ certified agent in your area can help you understand what happened and identify next steps.

Find Help Near Me

If you're struggling emotionally

Fraud victimization causes real psychological harm. Shock, anger, shame, sleep disruption, and prolonged anxiety are common — and they can persist for months. This is a normal response to an abnormal event. Many victims describe the emotional aftermath as worse than the financial loss.

You are not foolish. The criminals who run these schemes are organized, well-resourced, and skilled. They specifically design their tactics to defeat the smart, careful, well-intentioned people who would be the hardest to deceive. Falling for it does not reflect on your judgment, your intelligence, or your worth.

AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 877-908-3360 — Free emotional and tactical support, all ages welcome.

National Elder Fraud Hotline (DOJ): 833-FRAUD-11 — For victims 60+, but resources help all ages.

FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors: 844-574-3577 — Investment fraud focus, broader fraud-trauma resources.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 — If you are in immediate emotional crisis. Free, confidential, 24/7.

About this resource

This page is an educational resource provided by Home Fraud Defense™. It describes general consumer-protection practices and federal reporting pathways available as of the date below. It is not legal advice, financial advice, or a determination of fact about any specific person, business, or transaction.

Recovery outcomes are not guaranteed and vary widely based on factors outside this guidance, including your bank's policies, the payment method used, the time elapsed, the jurisdiction, and the cooperation of receiving institutions. Time-sensitive actions described here — including the 72-hour FBI Financial Fraud Kill Chain window, NACHA ACH return windows, and FCBA chargeback windows — should be confirmed directly with your bank's fraud line and law enforcement, because procedures and deadlines can change without notice and may differ for your specific account or transaction type.

Procedures for legal remedies vary by state. Information about quiet title actions, fraud reporting requirements, and creditor protections is general; specific procedures, deadlines, and remedies in your state may differ. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation.

Home Fraud Defense does not act on your behalf. We do not contact your bank, file reports for you, or guarantee any specific recovery outcome. Connections we facilitate to HFDCP™ Certified agents are referrals; they do not create any representation, advisory, or fiduciary relationship with Home Fraud Defense, and the agent's professional advice is theirs alone.

If you are in immediate physical danger — you have been threatened, someone is at your home, you fear violence — call 911 first. The fraud recovery resources can wait. Your safety cannot.

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026. This page reflects federal guidance and industry rules current as of that date.