Cybercrime and online fraud are an increasing concern, particularly when legal matters involve the transfer of large sums of money.
Fraudsters can create convincing emails, impersonate solicitors or clients, and attempt to redirect payments into fraudulent bank accounts. We therefore ask all clients of Harrison’s Solicitors to remain vigilant when communicating with us and, in particular, before transferring any money.
If you are ever unsure about an email, telephone call, payment request or bank details, do not send any money until you have spoken to us directly and confirmed that the request is genuine.
Important Notice: Our Bank Details
Harrison’s Solicitors will never send you an email stating that our bank details have changed or that you have previously been provided with old or incorrect bank details.
If you receive an email or other communication claiming that our bank details have changed, you should treat it as suspicious and contact us immediately.
Always telephone us using a number you already know to be genuine, such as the telephone number contained within previous correspondence or published on our website. Do not rely on a telephone number contained within a suspicious email.
We recommend that you contact us before transferring funds to confirm our bank details.
Harrison’s Solicitors will not accept responsibility if you transfer money into an incorrect account.
Protect Yourself Against Cyber Fraud
There are several simple precautions you can take when communicating with us or making a payment.
Do:
- Check the sender’s full email address carefully, particularly if an email relates to money or bank details.
- Contact us directly if you are not 100% certain that an email or payment request is genuine.
- Use contact information from previous genuine correspondence or our website when verifying a request.
- Check that bank details exactly match the details previously provided to you.
- Be particularly cautious when transferring large sums of money.
- Consider sending a small test payment, such as £10, before making a substantial transfer and then contact the Harrison’s Solicitors accounts team to confirm safe receipt.
Don’t:
- Send money to new bank details provided unexpectedly by email.
- Assume an email is genuine simply because it appears to come from somebody at Harrison’s Solicitors.
- Reply to a suspicious email to ask whether it is genuine.
- Telephone a number contained within an email you believe may be fraudulent.
- Open unexpected attachments or follow suspicious links.
- Ignore small differences in an email address, payment information or wording that appears unusual.
Be Particularly Careful When Buying or Selling Property
Extra vigilance is important during conveyancing transactions because significant amounts of money may be transferred when buying or selling a property.
Fraudsters may attempt to impersonate a solicitor at precisely the point at which funds are due to be transferred. If you receive unexpected instructions relating to a deposit, completion monies, sale proceeds or a change of bank account, stop and contact us before taking any action.
Even if an email appears convincing or contains information about your transaction, you should verify any unexpected financial instruction independently.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Suspicious Communication?
If you receive an email, message or telephone call that you believe may be fraudulent:
- Do not make the requested payment.
- Do not click any links or open attachments.
- Do not reply to the suspicious communication.
- Contact Harrison’s Solicitors immediately using contact details you already know to be genuine.
If you have already transferred money and then become concerned that the payment may have been fraudulent, contact your bank and Harrison’s Solicitors immediately.
If in doubt, always check with us first. A quick telephone call before transferring funds could prevent a substantial financial loss.