★ Add LoanOfficer.ai as a preferred source on Google
For mortgage professionals, the jump is a reminder that seller verification and closing controls need to be treated as front-end loan quality work, not just a title-company problem.
Seller impersonation fraud attempts have risen sharply, according to a HousingWire report published September 14, 2026. HousingWire reported that the share of firms seeing an attempt in the prior month climbed from 19% to 45% since 2024.
That matters for loan officers because these schemes sit right at the intersection of real estate fraud, title fraud, wire fraud prevention and closing execution. Even when the lender is not the direct target, a bad seller identity can blow up a transaction late, create compliance headaches and damage borrower trust.