How Do I Safely Send Final Closing Funds?
By JC Pacific Corp Published 2026-09-01 Last professionally reviewed: September 2026
Send final closing funds only after independently confirming the amount and payment instructions with the verified escrow holder.
Before Sending Money
Before sending money, in order:
- 1. Use a known telephone number obtained independently.
- 2. Speak directly with the verified escrow company.
- 3. Confirm the escrow number.
- 4. Confirm the exact amount.
- 5. Confirm the recipient bank.
- 6. Confirm the account information.
- 7. Ask whether instructions have changed.
- 8. Save confirmation records.
- 9. Confirm receipt immediately after sending.
Warning Signs
Be alert for:
- Last-minute change
- New bank
- New email address
- Urgent demand
- Secrecy
- Unusual grammar
- New telephone number
- Request to send funds to a person
- Instructions inconsistent with prior information
What If Fraud Is Suspected
Immediately contact:
- Sending bank's fraud department
- Receiving bank when known
- Escrow
- Real estate agent
- Appropriate law enforcement
- Other transaction professionals
Speed matters when attempting to stop or recover a fraudulent transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trust instructions inside a real email conversation?
No. Criminals can compromise genuine email accounts.
Should I send a test amount?
A test does not replace verbal verification.
Will escrow ever change banks?
A legitimate change is possible, but it must be independently verified through known contact information.
Stop, verify and then send. No legitimate closing is too urgent for a verification telephone call. Never send closing funds based on email instructions alone.
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JC Pacific Corp is an Irvine-based Southern California brokerage helping buyers navigate offers, escrow, and financing. Tell us what you are looking for and we will point you to current options across the region.
A note on legal advice: These guides provide general, educational information about California real estate practice. They are not legal advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Mortgage information is general education, not individualized lending, tax or legal guidance. For advice about your specific offer, contract, closing or financing, consult a qualified California real estate attorney and a qualified mortgage professional.