Property fraud

Protecting your property. Protecting your transaction.

Property transactions involve significant financial commitments and sensitive personal information. At Sable and Stone Real Estate, we take the security of our clients, their properties and their transactions seriously.

Property fraud can take many forms, including impersonation, fraudulent ownership claims, intercepted communications, false payment instructions and attempts to redirect completion funds. Sophisticated fraud can appear convincing, which is why vigilance and robust verification procedures are essential.

Your security matters.

We will never ask you to disclose sensitive security information by email, nor should you rely solely on an email requesting a change to bank details or payment instructions.

If you receive unexpected or unusual payment instructions that appear to come from Sable and Stone, a solicitor, conveyancer or another professional involved in your transaction, do not transfer funds until the instructions have been independently verified using a trusted telephone number or other established contact method.

Be particularly cautious of:

• Unexpected requests to change bank details.
• Urgent requests to transfer completion funds.
• Emails containing unusual payment instructions.
• Requests for passwords, security codes or confidential information.
• Messages claiming that a professional's bank account has changed.
• Unexpected attachments or links.
• Communications that appear to come from someone involved in your transaction but differ from their usual contact details.

Our approach

We maintain appropriate procedures designed to reduce the risk of fraud and protect sensitive client information. However, no organisation can eliminate every risk, and clients should remain vigilant throughout a transaction.

We recommend that clients:

Verify. Independently confirm important payment instructions.

• Pause. Do not allow urgency or pressure to override normal verification procedures
• Protect. Keep passwords, identification documents and security information confidential
• Question. Contact the relevant professional directly if something appears unusual

Report. Immediately raise suspected fraud or compromised communications with the relevant professional and appropriate authorities.

If you suspect fraud

If you believe that you have received a fraudulent communication, your email account or transaction may have been compromised, or funds may have been sent to an incorrect account, contact your bank immediately and notify your solicitor or conveyancer and Sable and Stone as soon as possible.

Do not continue communicating with a suspected fraudster while attempting to resolve the issue yourself.

A simple rule

Never rely on an email alone to verify payment instructions.

Your property transaction deserves the highest level of care, discretion and attention.