Fraud Prevention
Watch for real estate frauds involving private mortgages
In a hot real estate market fraudsters are even more motivated than usual – there is a lot of money to be had and lawyers are common targets. LAWPRO is seeing a significant increase in the number of real estate frauds involving private mortgages. The Toronto Police Service recently issued a news release about ongoing… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionAvoid phishing and wire fraud scams over the long weekend
Fraudsters often increase their efforts over the holidays and long weekends when key staff may be away and people generally may be more distracted or rushing to get things done before the end of the year. The risk of getting duped could be increased this year with many of us working from home and the… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionWhat to do if money is diverted to a fraudster’s account?
There are multiple scenarios whereby fraudsters will attempt to have you wire funds to a different account than the one that you had intended to fund. Unfortunately, some of those attempts are successful. LAWPRO has received such claims and heard of many others. Here are some tips to assist you if such a fraud happens… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionFraud warning from the Law Society of BC regarding shelf company enquiries
The following is a warning posted March 4 from the Law Society of British Columbia. While we have not heard of this being reported by any Ontario lawyers, firms that deal with shelf companies should be vigilant. Random calls and emails inquiring about shelf companies BC lawyers have reported receiving random phone calls and emails… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionWire Fraud Scams on the Rise: 5 Tips to Reduce Your Risk
LAWPRO is seeing an increase in phishing attacks against lawyers trying to trick them into wiring funds out of their trust accounts to the fraudster. It starts with a hacked email system or impersonation using lookalike fake email address. We have seen cases where the fraudster has hacked into a lawyer or law firm email… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionNew LAWPRO Webzine: Limitation period updates, free CPD, and fraud alert
Looking for last minute CPD? We’ve got you covered with complimentary CPD programs, several of which offer professionalism or EDI hours. They also qualify for the LAWPRO Risk Management Credit. How to deal with limitation periods that were suspended during the pandemic From calls we have received from insureds, LAWPRO is aware there are questions… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Prevention, Civil Litigation, Limitations ClaimsCanadian Anti-Fraud Centre Bulletin: Money Mule Awareness
The following is the text of a bulletin from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Increasingly, fraud networks are recruiting unsuspecting fraud victims to receive and transfer money from other victims. When this happens, the victim becomes a money mule. What is a Money Mule? A money mule is an individual who is recruited by fraudsters to… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionFirm websites being impersonated by fraudsters
LAWPRO has heard from a number of Ontario lawyers that their firm websites have been copied by fraudsters to further their schemes, such as the “inheritance from a long-lost relative” scam or immigration scams overseas. While we have seen these impersonation scams for over a year now, there seems to be another spike lately, perhaps… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Prevention