Cybersecurity Best Practices for Today’s Real Estate Professional
- Coldwell Banker Premier Realty
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Wire fraud is no longer a rare headline, it’s a daily threat in real estate. That was the sobering takeaway from this recent Coldwell Banker Premier Realty sales meeting, where cybersecurity expert Jason O'Brian joined Molly Hamrick and the leadership team to deliver a critical message: agents are the frontline of defense against cyberattacks, and it’s time to take that responsibility seriously.
In an industry where every transaction involves large sums of money, sensitive data and multiple stakeholders, the risk is high. Criminals are targeting agents, clients and vendors with increasing sophistication, often using AI tools and phishing scams to impersonate trusted contacts. During the session, agents heard real-life examples of fraud, including a client who wired their down payment to a scammer and an agent nearly tricked by a spoofed message from a team member.
If it can happen to them, it can happen to any of us. That’s why Coldwell Banker Premier Reatly is doubling down on awareness, tools, and training to protect every party in a transaction.
Meet the Guest Expert: Jason O' Brian
Jason O'Brian, Coldwell Banker Premier's go-to expert on digital safety, joined the meeting to deliver a high-level overview of today’s most common cyber threats, with phishing attacks topping the list. These aren’t just sketchy emails from strangers. In many cases, they come from seemingly familiar contacts and use urgent language to pressure you into clicking, downloading, or wiring money.
He broke down how bad actors use AI bots, spoofing software and social engineering tactics to manipulate agents and clients alike. And once funds are sent? They're nearly impossible to recover.
Jason’s warning was clear: tools like multifactor authentication (MFA), password managers and updated software aren’t optional, they’re your first line of defense.
Takeaways Agents Can't Afford to Ignore
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. Real estate agents are prime targets, and the consequences are real. Here are key strategies covered in the session:
Pause Before You Click or Send: Scammers rely on urgency. If you receive an unexpected link or file, even from someone you know, don’t open it. Confirm the message via a phone call or walk down the hall if it’s internal. The same goes for clients. Train them to slow down and verify wire instructions, even if they appear to come from you.
Wire Fraud Is the #1 Threat in Real Estate: There are daily attempts to intercept funds through spoofed wire instructions. Make it part of your process to explain this to clients at the beginning of every transaction. As Molly emphasized, you should always say: "I will never send you wire instructions. You’ll receive them securely from the title company."
Create a Multi-Step Verification System: Whether it’s for wiring money or opening escrow, develop a layered protocol. Have conversations in person or by phone, double-check account names, and use secure channels whenever money is involved. Jason also recommends using MFA (multi-factor authentication) for all sensitive accounts, banking, email, and CRM systems alike.
Keep Your Devices Updated: A simple restart of your laptop can allow important security patches to install. Closing your laptop isn’t enough. Make it a habit to reboot and update your software regularly to stay protected against new threats.
Educate Clients Just as You Educate Yourself: Clients often don’t know the risks, and many fall for scams out of confusion or urgency. Taking five minutes to educate them can prevent a life-altering mistake. Use tools like Coldwell Banker Premier Realty's upcoming resources or even a one-pager with basic cyber hygiene tips.
Final Thoughts
The stories shared in this session weren’t hypothetical. They were close calls and real losses. The stakes are high, but so is your ability to lead with awareness.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting data, it’s about protecting your clients’ dreams, your reputation and your business. As Jason reminded us: "The bad guys don’t take days off. Neither can your digital defenses."
Stay alert, stay curious, and stay protected. Start using this Cibersecurity Best Practices for real estate professionals. Your clients are counting on you.
Watch the Full Meeting Replay Here.
We also invite you to be our guest at an upcoming sales meeting, immerse yourself in our high-energy, collaborative culture and discover what sets us apart. Your next level in real estate starts here!
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