We know that buying or selling a home is one of the biggest – and most exciting – moments in your life. But sadly, there are some sneaky fraudsters out there who try to take advantage of people in that busy, emotional time.
Recently, North Yorkshire Police, along with City of London Police and Action Fraud, have shared a new warning about a scam called Payment Diversion Fraud (sometimes known as Conveyancing Fraud). And because your safety means everything to us, we wanted to help spread the word.
What’s This Scam All About?
Basically, it’s when criminals hack into emails between buyers, sellers, solicitors, and estate agents, and then pretend to be someone you trust. They’ll send a super convincing message asking you to transfer your deposit or final payment – but the bank account they give you actually belongs to them.
They’re clever and time it just right – usually right before completion when everyone’s excited and things are moving fast.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, over £11 million was stolen in this way, with the average loss being around £78,000. Heartbreaking, right?
So How Can You Stay Safe?
At Indigo Greens, we do everything we can to keep your property journey safe, smooth, and stress-free. But there are a few simple steps you can take too:
1. Double-Check Bank Details
Always confirm your solicitor’s bank details in person or over the phone (using a number you already know). Never trust an email telling you their details have changed — that’s a huge red flag.
2. Be Suspicious of “Urgent” Messages
If you get an email that sounds pushy or says things like “you must pay now” – stop! Take a breath, pick up the phone, and check with your solicitor directly. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
3. Secure Your Email
Use strong passwords (three random words is a good trick!) and switch on two-step verification. A lot of these scams start with hacked email accounts.
What If You Think You’ve Been Caught Out?
If you think you might have transferred money to the wrong place:
- Call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card.
- Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
And one more thing — if someone later gets in touch claiming they can “recover” your money for you, hang up! Sadly, that’s often a second scam.
We’ve Got Your Back
Here at Indigo Greens, we care deeply about your experience — from your first viewing to moving day and beyond. If you ever get a message or email that doesn’t feel quite right, just give us a call. We’ll help you check it safely. No question is too small, and your peace of mind always comes first.
Buying a home should be exciting, not nerve-wracking — and we’re here to make sure it stays that way.
Stay safe, stay scam-savvy, and as always, if you need advice or reassurance, your friendly Indigo Greens team is just a phone call away.
