Criminals sometimes impersonate genuine law firms, or invent firms that do not exist, in order to steal money from buyers, sellers and clients. Conveyancing transactions are a frequent target because large sums move at short notice.
Warning signs
- An email telling you that the firm's bank details have changed, especially close to completion
- A website or email domain that is slightly different from the firm's real one
- Pressure to transfer money urgently, or to keep the transfer confidential
- Contact details that do not match those on the Solicitors Register
- A firm you cannot find on the register at all
What to do
- Do not transfer any money until you have verified the details
- Telephone the firm on a number you have obtained independently, not one supplied in the suspicious email
- If you have already transferred funds, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud
- Report the bogus firm or impersonation to us so that we can publish a scam alert
Reporting to us
Send us the email or letter, including full email headers if you have them, the website address, and any bank details you were given. Reports of this kind are handled urgently because of the ongoing risk to others.