About Tim Lemieux
Tim Lemieux is the CPSR and Claims Analyst at LAWPRO. He investigates TitlePLUS title insurance claims, and analyses LAWPRO claims data to aid in the creation of the practicePRO initiative risk management presentations, articles and web content for lawyers.
Tim Lemieux's Posts
Equipment purchase scam using the names Stan Walters and ABI Equipment Limited
Lawyers in Ontario and the U.S. have notified us that they received an email from the purported Stan Walters of ABI Equipment Limited looking to retain them with regards to making a large commercial purchase. This appears to be a bad cheque scam (with a real company likely being impersonated) that presents as legal matter… Read More »
Categories: Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud, Fraud WarningsWindows 7 support coming to an end in January
Windows 7 was one of the most popular Windows operating systems, and many users (including law firms) would be content to keep using it and put off upgrading. However, Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 7 will end as of January 14, 2020. That means no more updates, including security updates. So while computers… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Prevention, Legal Technology, TechnologyDivorce settlement fraud using the name Hanae Kenshi
Two Ontario firms notified us that they received an email from the purported Hanae Kenshi looking to retain them with regards to a collecting overdue payments resulting from a separation agreement. This appears to be a bad cheque scam that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance of a lawyer. In this scam lawyers will… Read More »
Categories: Divorce Settlement Fraud, Fraud WarningsU.S. Federal Trade Commission releases cybersecurity resources for small businesses
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has just released cybersecurity resources for small business. They were developed after the FTC hosted roundtables to ask business owners what they needed to deal with the threat of cybercrime. While not specifically aimed at law firms, the cyber issues and dangers they face are often the same as any… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Prevention, TechnologyFraudsters impersonating firms to divert real estate deposit funds
In the article “Danger: When a hacker emails you instructions in the name of your client” we warned lawyers to be aware of the danger of fake emails from the client attempting to redirect funds in a real estate purchase. In a new twist on this scam, a firm informed us that their client was… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionArrests made in the U.S. of fraudsters involved in email impersonation scams
Here’s a rare bit of good news when it comes to fraud and cybercrime. Housingwire.com reports that several fraudsters have been arrested in the U.S.. The scams they are accused of running include hacking firm email accounts to redirect funds from real estate transactions to their own bank accounts. See Danger: When a Hacker Emails… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionThe new Fraud Fact Sheet for Cybercrime and Bad Cheque Scams
There has been a huge growth in cybercrime attempts against lawyers and firms, who must now be on guard against bad cheque frauds, phishing, funds transfer frauds and attempts to hack firm information. We have published a new 4-page Cybercrime and Bad Cheque Scams Fraud Fact Sheet (PDF) to help lawyers spot the red flags… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionEquipment purchase scam using the names Peter Gerstmann and Zeppelin Group
Two Ontario firms have notified us that they received an email from the purported Harrison Kinsman of Deqishan Medical Works looking to retain them with regards to making a large commercial purchase. This appears to be a bad cheque scam (with a real company likely being impersonated) that presents as legal matter requiring the assistance… Read More »
Categories: Equipment / Inventory Purchase Fraud, Fraud Warnings