Is the Wire Transfer Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a other scam.

What should I do if I received the Wire Transfer Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Wire Transfer Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Wire Transfer Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Wire Transfer Scam: Is It a Scam?

High Prevalence Type: Other

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Wire transfer scams involve any situation where a scammer pressures you into sending money via bank wire transfer. Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once sent, making them a preferred payment method for fraudsters in business email compromise, romance scams, and more.

How This Scam Works

The scam begins with social engineering through email, phone, or messaging. Common scenarios include a business partner whose payment details have 'changed,' a lawyer handling a real estate closing who sends 'updated wiring instructions,' or a romantic interest who needs funds transferred urgently. The scammer provides bank account details, often at a real bank, and the victim initiates a wire through their bank. Once the wire is sent, the scammer withdraws or transfers the funds to other accounts within hours. Banks have a very small window to recall wires, and success is not guaranteed.

Red Flags to Watch For

Last-minute changes to wiring instructions, especially via email
Urgency to send wire transfer today without time to verify
Request comes via email rather than confirmed verbal communication
Wire instructions go to a personal account rather than a business account
Recipient account is in a different country than expected

Example Scam Messages

Email (appearing from your attorney): 'Good news, we're cleared to close on the property tomorrow. Please wire $180,000 to the following account. Note: our bank details have changed since last week. New routing: 021000089, Account: 483920173' --- Email (appearing from a vendor): 'Please be advised that our banking information has been updated. All future payments should be wired to: Bank of [Country], Account: IBAN GB29 NWBK 6016 1331 9268 19. Please process the outstanding invoice of $47,500 today.' --- Phone call from 'FBI': 'Your bank account has been flagged for money laundering. To avoid having your assets frozen, you need to wire your funds to a secure government account while we investigate.'

What to Do If You Received This

Always verify wire instructions by calling the recipient at a known phone number
Never trust changed wire instructions sent only via email
Call your attorney, realtor, or vendor directly before wiring money
Government agencies will never ask you to wire money for protection
Take your time; legitimate transactions can wait for verification

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact your bank immediately and request a wire recall
Time is critical; you may have hours, not days
File a police report immediately
If the wire was international, ask your bank to contact the receiving bank
Report business email compromise to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov

How to Report This Scam

Contact your bank's wire fraud department immediately
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov (select BEC/wire fraud)
File a local police report

Last updated: February 10, 2026