We’ve had a recent situation which has brought this to our attention:
 Have you noticed, or been told, that attorneys are less likely to accept cashiers checks, or require that they be delivered 24 to 48 hours in advance of closing? In essence, it has to do with fraud.
 As you know, we are seeing a lot of fraudulent occurrences in real estate these days. Apparently there is the opportunity for a person to withdraw a cashiers check within a certain period of time once it has been issued. In documented cases, people are showing up to settlement with a cashiers check, going through closing, and then withdrawing the check before it can be deposited and approved for payment.
 As a result, attorneys are being advised that they should avoid this type of payment, or require it in advance of settlement, in order to avoid these possible situations. I was also not aware of this change in precedent, but this is what is taking place at the moment. Note that all office policies may be the same.
 Our business is extremely susceptible to fraud because of the high dollar value being transferred. The people committing fraud are exceptionally skilled at it. It is reassuring to know that our attorneys are on top of the latest trends, keeping all of us safer from this abuse.
 Please consider sharing this with your buyer-client early in the contract process.  I trust this will help them understand the situation and be a little more patient with current trends. These are difficult times for all of us; fortunately our attorneys are being cautious in order to protect everyone involved. Something we can all appreciate.
 Please contact me with any questions
