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Cyber dangers

The confidence client: Survival tips to prevent fraud

In the nineteenth century, American journalists and law enforcement coined the term “confidence artist” to describe a form of fraud that preys on the trust and credulity of its target. The form these frauds took was always changing but relied on the good faith of the target and either a promise of profit or a… Read More »

Categories: 2024 March - The Confidence Client, Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud

One click and you are out $1 million

Could it happen to you? If you have a trust account, then you’re at risk. We are seeing a sharp increase in social engineering fraud against law firms and their clients, where the goal is to divert funds to fraudsters’ accounts. When money gets diverted, the lawyer and/or the client is out of funds. For… Read More »

Categories: 2024 March - The Confidence Client, Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud

Protecting your firm against fraud (2023)

Fraud targeting lawyers continues to be a serious concern for the profession. This program will provide up-to-date information on actual fraud attempts, the types of fraud claims LAWPRO counsel are seeing right now, and how best to avoid these scams. As well, legal and law enforcement experts will provide tips and advice for protecting your… Read More »

Categories: CPD, Cyber dangers, Fraud

Wire 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. There are different ways that fraudsters are trying to direct lawyers and law firms to wire money to them. Fraudsters have pretended to be: A lawyer in the firm, to… Read More »

Categories: Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud, New Lawyer Issue

Survival Tips to Prevent Fraud (2022)

Drawing on actual frauds and close calls, this program will review the most recent fraud efforts targeting lawyers, law firms and their clients, and provide practical tips to help you manage these risks.

Categories: CPD, Cyber dangers, Fraud

Update about fund transfers

There has been much written about how lawyers receive and deliver money from their trust accounts on behalf of their clients as part of a transaction. The issue comes down to ensuring good funds are being dealt with in order that value is exchanged. In Canada, our banking system works on the basis of trust,… Read More »

Categories: Cyber dangers, Finances, Firm Management, Legal Technology, Online Only, Real Estate

You transferred funds to the wrong account – what now?

Fraudsters try to trick lawyers into wiring funds to an account that the fraudster controls. Sometimes, they succeed, and the funds get into the hands of criminals. What do you do then? Below are some examples that have been reported to us: 1. A lawyer’s office received a last-minute redirection of monies payable on the… Read More »

Categories: 2022 June - After Covid 19, Articles, Could This Happen to You?, Cyber dangers, Disaster Planning, Fraud, Legal Technology

Putting the insurance puzzle together

LAWPRO’s primary Errors & Omissions (E&O) program is a key piece of the insurance puzzle for any lawyer and law firm. But additional insurance coverage is often required to protect against the full constellation of risk faced by a law firm. Remember that all insurance policies are drafted to cover only a specific set of… Read More »

Categories: Cyber dangers, Firm Management, Online Only

Avoiding the wire fraud nightmare – what you need to know to protect yourself and your clients (2021)

Finding out that money you sent out of trust has gone missing is a lawyer’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, we are seeing a rise in wire fraud efforts targeting law firms and their clients. Fraudsters have developed several ways to convince lawyers and law clerks to wire funds out of law firm trust accounts to fraudsters’… Read More »

Categories: CPD, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Legal Technology

Cybersecurity and Fraud Prevention Tips

Phishing attacks and other forms of cyberfraud are an increasingly common source of loss for lawyers. Our constantly changing technology, and the changing tactics used by fraudsters, require constant vigilance and adaptation. Here are a few tips to keep your and your clients’ information secure and prevent fraud.

Categories: Cyber dangers, Factsheets

Land Acknowledgement

The offices of LAWPRO are located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. LAWPRO respects and acknowledges the histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit nations.

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