Fraud alert – emails impersonating law firm solicitors

What’s the scam?

We have been alerted to a spate of scam emails from fraudsters pretending to be legitimate solicitors at law firms.

The scam emails all follow an identical pattern of sharing a folder from a named solicitor at a law firm.

What should you do?

Do not click on any links in emails you are unsure about, for example if you are not expecting correspondence from the solicitor named in the file, or there are unusual spellings or errors. Do not share these emails with colleagues. You may wish to block the domain to ensure you do not receive further emails. If you have concerns, contact the firm by phone or send a separate email (not reply) to check if the email is legitimate.

Solicitors can help clients and contacts protect themselves by being consistent in your communications and ensuring that clients know what to expect from your firm. Ask clients and contacts to call your office to confirm details, if they receive any communications requesting a payment. Keep discussing the issue with clients to ensure that they are alive to the threats of cybercrime.

Where a fraud is suspected or has taken place, it should be reported directly to Police Scotland. Find out more about reporting online crime in Scotland here.

You can find further information about the threats of cybercrime and action you can take to protect yourself in our Guide to Cybersecurity.