Fraud Prevention
Fraud 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 PreventionMAZE ransomware warning from the Law Society of Manitoba
The following ransomware warning was published by the Law Society of Manitoba on April 9, 2020. Ontario lawyers should also be aware and share this with their staff. In the past two weeks, two Manitoba firms have called us at The Law Society of Manitoba to say they been hit by viruses – not Covid-19,… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionMore examples of cyber criminals taking advantage of Covid-19 disruption
Cyber criminals are constantly updating their methods to take advantage of current events, and the disruption caused by Covid 19 and many people now working remotely has provided them with a new opportunities, as explained in Beware of cybersecurity risks during COVID-19 and working from home. This CBC News article Email, text message attacks surge… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionRemote communication and fraud risks in real estate
In the context of COVID-19, lawyers are often unable to meet in person with their clients. The Law Society of Ontario has temporarily authorized remote verification of client identity and permitted remote commissioning of documents. This information can be found in this FAQ. Remote meetings and remote signing introduce additional fraud risks. Lawyers need to… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, Fraud Prevention