Risk Management & Claims Prevention
Toronto area lawyer contacted on a “We built a website for you” hacking attempt
An Oakville lawyer advised us of a new scam that appears to be a brazen attempt to gain access to a law firm’s computers. Someone identifying himself as Mason Saunders called the firm this morning and asked to speak directly to the lawyer by name. He indicated to the lawyer that he was calling further… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionAvoiding common communication errors in corporate/commercial law
Over the last ten years, corporate/commercial-related claims (including bankruptcy, tax, and securities-related claims) averaged 14 per cent of LAWPRO’s claims count (279 claims per year), and 23 per cent of our claims costs ($14.9 million per year). While there has been some fluctuation, the number of claims in this area has remained consistent over this… Read More »
Categories: Communication Errors, Corporate LawRe-fi fraud involving Scarborough property on Heaslip Terrace
A Toronto lawyer has advised us that he was retained last week on an attempted fraud involving a re-financing on a property on Heaslip Terrace in Scarborough. As the fraudsters are using the names of the real property owners, we are not disclosing the names being used or the address of the property. Early last… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionHuge collection of fake IDs, documents and cheques given to lawyers by fraudsters
Fraud attempts against lawyers can involve a great deal of counterfeit documentation, starting with the initial client ID (passports, licenses), various agreements, loan documents and bank statements, and ending with the cheque that finally arrives at the lawyer’s office. When we add posts about a fraud to the AvoidAClaim blog, we also provide images of… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionThe red flags of an email scam
Many email scams are obvious due to poor spelling, bad grammar and/or completely untenable fact circumstances (e.g., multi-million dollar lottery wins or inheritances). However, some of the email-based frauds LAWPRO is seeing are extremely sophisticated and look like completely legitimate legal matters. The more sophisticated frauds have temporarily fooled new and experienced lawyers into working… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionA clarification on the ultimate limitation period and the York Condominium Corp. and Jay-M Holding case
The How Long Should You Keep Your Close Files? article in the December 2010 issue of LAWPRO Magazine was well received by Ontario lawyers. From the emails, phone calls and personal comments we received, it is clear the information we provided was helpful to many lawyers in terms of the decisions they needed to make… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitations ClaimsBusiness Financial Dispsute Scam by Shi Quen/Shi Yu of Luthai Textile Co. Ltd
In the first three weeks of April several Ontario lawyers have reported receiving an email seeking help on a financial dispute from the purported Shi Quen who claims to be the Chief Financial Officer of Luthai Textile Co. Ltd. Both initial contact emails are very short and are reproduced here: From: Luthai Textile – [email protected]… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionLAWPRO concerned that unbundled legal services will mean more claims
The Law Society of Upper Canada is currently reviewing the ethical and procedural issues relating to the “unbundling” of legal services, otherwise known as “limited scope representations” or “limited scope retainers.” Unbundling is the concept of taking a legal matter apart into discrete tasks and having a lawyer or paralegal provide limited legal services or… Read More »
Categories: Biggest Claims Risks