21 October 2021
Home Buyers Warned About Online Deposit Fraud
The Law Society of Northern Ireland is warning the public to be
extremely vigilant following increasing reports of fraudsters targeting solicitors
and clients, particularly those involved in buying or selling a house.
The Society has said it is aware of reports in which clients have lost
significant amounts of money after receiving a last-minute and fake email,
purportedly from their solicitor, asking them to transfer their deposit money
to a new bank account which is controlled by the fraudster.
Such is the level of sophistication of the fraud that neither the client
nor solicitor is aware of the fraud until it has been successfully perpetrated.
In many instances, the money stolen from the client and the solicitor
firm is never recovered and this has a huge impact on all parties concerned.
The Law Society are asking the public to Call, Check and Confirm
when it comes to the transfer of money, especially if the person receives an
email or phone call informing them of a last-minute change in bank details.
Commenting, Rowan White, President of the Law Society of Northern
Ireland, said:
“Our message to the public, especially those
involved in a property transaction, is simple - always Call, Check and Confirm.
Call the person or solicitor known to you using
recognised phone number, Check if they sent you an email regarding a
last-minute change in bank details and Confirm the right bank details with the
person. Never transfer your money without checking with all parties
concerned.
The Law Society has launched a leaflet to help the public which can be
accessed from https://www.lawsoc-ni.org/new-call-check-and-confirm-leaflet-launched
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