Lawyers fall victim to online identity theft scam

Fake law firm websites are using details of genuine lawyers. Picture: Michael Gillen

The Law Society of Scotland said details and photographs of genuine lawyers were being used on bogus law firm websites.

The body said it was not aware of any clients falling victim, but it warned the public to be cautious and to check their solicitor is “legitimate”.

One web page of a firm claiming to be based in London uses a number of images of solicitors who actually work in Glasgow.

Ian Messer, director of financial compliance at the Law Society, said the scam appeared to be becoming more common.

He said: “We have recently come across a few examples of solicitors’ details being used on fake law firm websites and it seems that this kind of fraud is on the rise.

“These websites look very professional and would appear to be credible, apart from the fact that they are using names of solicitors who do not work there. We would urge both solicitors and members of the public to be aware of this type of fraud.”

Mr Messer said customers could check their solicitor’s credentials on the Law Society’s website, where bona fide lawyers and legal firms are listed.

He warned members of the public to be on the lookout for those fraudulently claiming to be a member of the legal profession.

“We have reported these instances to the authorities and are urging our members to be vigilant and to let us know if they find any illegitimate use of their details,” he added.

The bogus firms use a range of tactics to scam money from people including sending out fake inheritance letters that require taxes or excise duty to be paid, fake accident compensation claims that require advance fees and bogus invoices or investments that require pre-payment of legal fees.

On one fake website seen by The Scotsman, the fraudsters appeared to have copied the design and layout of a genuine firm, even listing its solicitors on the contact page.

However, no-one answered the phone at the supposed firm yesterday, and the number that was listed on the website connected to a mobile voicemail service.

Fraudsters have used sophisticated fake websites for a number of years, forcing banks to issue warnings to their internet banking customers.

Last month, police warned the public about a newly discovered bank scam, which saw one victim from Scotland narrowly avoid losing more than £160,000 in savings.