Fraud Prevention
When a Law Firm Gets Hacked: A Case Study in Cybersecurity Risks and Recovery
As cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, law firms are emerging as targets due to the highly sensitive nature of their data and pools of money. Law firms can hold a wealth of confidential data, including client identities, case details, and proprietary legal strategies, making them prime candidates for cybercriminals seeking to exploit this valuable… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionVerify the withdrawals from your accounts
LAWPRO has received claims from lawyers who fell victim to fraudsters diverting and depositing cheques meant for their clients. In two cases to date, lawyers issued cheques to their clients as part of their professional services. However, in both cases, an identical amount was withdrawn from the lawyer’s trust account but payable to a third… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionHow to ensure you have secure funds
[Updated May 14, 2024] Article highlights: 1.For funds to be truly irrevocable, you need a PCRN. Anything else is a risk. 2.Financial institutions that have adopted the Uniform Treatment of Wire Payments have agreed to treat “On-Us” funds (e.g. when the payee and the payor are at different branches of the same financial institution) as… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionAre you ready for the Law Society’s new client ID requirements on January 1, 2024?
As of January 1st, 2024, the Law Society of Ontario requires lawyers who only meet with clients virtually to verify their clients’ identity online by authenticating their identification documents, or using an alternate, approved verification method. This ends the emergency virtual-verification measures that permitted verification through simply viewing identification documents online. The virtual authentication of… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionFederation of Law Societies launches online program to combat money laundering risks
The Federation’s of Law Societys has launched an online learning program entitled “Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the Canadian Legal Profession”. The program is free and the Law Society of Ontario has accredited the program for 3 hours and 45 minutes of Professionalism content. From the website: “The practice of law exposes legal professionals… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Prevention, TechnologyNew variation of the bad cheque email scam referring to “Greenville Offshore Bank” in Toronto
An Ontario lawyer forwarded us what appears to be a new variation of the old bad cheque scam in which a lawyer is contacted from a client overseas to collect on a debt, divorce settlement or facilitate a large equipment purchase (see our full list of these emails here). In this version the clients claim… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionPolice release photos of suspects in mortgage fraud
See the Toronto Star article for the photos: Toronto police are asking for help identify two people who allegedly impersonated homeowners and sold their home without consent last year. Investigators say the owners of a Toronto property were out of the country on business in January 2022 when two people used fake identification to impersonate… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionAvoid phishing and wire fraud scams over the holidays
Fraudsters often increase their efforts over the holidays 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 usual checks and… Read More »
Categories: Fraud Prevention