Save trusted contacts early
Record the title company and closing contact’s verified phone number before wiring instructions are expected.
Protect your transaction
Wire-fraud safety and Florida association checklist
Use these practical steps before sending closing funds or committing to a home governed by a condominium or homeowners association.
Important wire-fraud warning
Never rely on wiring instructions sent only by email. Criminals can imitate an agent, attorney, lender, or title company and send convincing last-minute changes.
Before sending money, call the title or closing company using a trusted phone number obtained earlier—not a number contained in the new email. Confirm the recipient name, bank, routing number, account number, and amount verbally.
Before you send funds
Three steps that can protect your closing
Question every change
Treat changed instructions, urgency, secrecy, spelling differences, unfamiliar links, and new account information as warning signs.
Verify by telephone
Call the known number and read back the complete instructions. Do not use contact details supplied in a suspicious message.
Consumer guidance: CFPB mortgage-closing scam guidance · Report suspected internet crime at FBI IC3.
Florida HOA and condominium review
Documents and costs to investigate
Every association and transaction is different. Request the current documents and confirm deadlines with the association, seller, closing agent, and appropriate professionals.
Fees and assessments
Confirm regular dues, application fees, transfer charges, special assessments, past-due balances, and whether increases are proposed.
Budget and reserves
Review the current budget, financial statements, reserve funding, reserve studies, and any structural-integrity reserve study that applies.
Building inspections
For applicable condominium buildings, ask for available milestone-inspection reports, repair plans, notices, and related assessments.
Association insurance
Review the association’s master coverage, deductibles, recent claims, renewal information, and what coverage the owner must obtain.
Rules and restrictions
Check leasing, pets, vehicles, parking, guests, age restrictions, renovations, exterior changes, and approval requirements.
Approval and timing
Confirm the application process, interview or screening requirements, required documents, fees, and expected approval timeline.
Minutes and disputes
Review recent meeting minutes for planned projects, complaints, litigation, insurance issues, rule changes, and possible assessments.
Maintenance responsibility
Determine what the association maintains versus the owner, including roof, exterior, plumbing, windows, doors, and shared elements.
Official starting points: Florida DBPR condominium resources · Florida Condominium Act · Florida Homeowners’ Association Act.
This checklist is general information, not a substitute for the contract, association disclosures, governing documents, inspection, legal advice, insurance advice, or financial advice. Requirements and deadlines vary.
If money was sent to the wrong account
Act immediately.
- Call your bank or wire-transfer company and request an immediate recall or fraud freeze.
- Notify the legitimate closing agent, title company, and real estate professionals using known contact information.
- Report the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov and follow instructions from your bank and law enforcement.