how to go to a lawyer about the scam happening in a company

Ask for clear, direct communication with your lawyer. If you’re going against big companies or wealthy businessmen, they will bring shark lawyers. Most big companies deal with lawsuits all the time and their lawyers already know all the other lawyers in the area.

Full Answer

How to know if a lawyer is a scam?

Try to Google the lawyer’s name or look up the law firm he/she represents. This will give you an indicator as to the reliability of the firm or individual. Do this research before you sign a contract with a lawyer or entrust them with your money. If the lawyer has had a history of scams, you will find out soon enough.

What to do if you are being scammed by a scammer?

Don’t get wrapped up in whatever drama they are trying to create. Stay calm and centered. There’s no need to feel bad about hanging up or not responding. One of the key signs of a scam is how a person approaches you. Usually the scammer will make immediate demands that you “have to” respond to now.

What are some ways that an attorney can commit fraud?

Some of the ways in which an attorney can commit fraud are as follows: Lying to a client about why he or she did not receive full payment of their rightful share of funds. Providing you with false credentials to persuade you to hire him or her.

Is the “top 100” attorney in your state a scam?

If you are willing to pay the price, you will be included. Some scams who claim to be the “top 100” attorney in your state, will… get this, break the state into multiple “regions” once they reach the 100 attorney threshold and then change the language to say “state or region.”

What to do if you have been scammed by a company?

Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these popular ones: Phone calls. Emails.

How do I get my money back from a scammer?

Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card or debit card. Tell them it was a fraudulent charge. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.

Can I file a dispute if I was scammed?

File a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately. The more information you provide, the more they can use to build cases against scammers. Contact your state consumer protection authorities and your state's Attorney General.

How do I report a job scam?

Report Job Scams to the FTC If you see or lose money to a job scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general .

Can I report a scammer to the police?

Report the incident to the classified site immediately, sending them as much information as possible about the ad in question as possible. They can retrieve and store information to pass on to the police. Report the incident to your local police station so that they can open a case.

How can I report a scammer to the FBI?

Report Threats and Federal CrimesFill out our Online Tips and Public Leads form at tips.fbi.gov.Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)Contact your local field office or closest international office.

How do I get my money back from an online purchase?

If you never got your order and the charge appears on your credit card statement, you can dispute it as a billing error. File a dispute online or by phone with your credit card company. To protect any rights you may have, also send a letter to the address listed for billing disputes or errors.

Who pays when you dispute a charge?

You must keep paying your credit card bill like normal during the dispute process. As mentioned previously, card issuers usually remove disputed charges from the bill until the dispute is resolved, but you're still responsible for paying the rest of the bill.

Can a bank deny a dispute?

Yes. If the cardholder doesn't make a compelling enough case to their bank, or doesn't have a valid reason for filing a chargeback, the bank may refuse to open a dispute.

Is scamming a federal crime?

Wire fraud is a federal crime that involves any scheme to defraud another person or party by means of electronic communication. It can take many forms including telemarketing fraud, internet scams, phishing, or fraudulent schemes that use television or radio.

How can I verify a company is legitimate?

Check out the company's address, phone number, and website to make sure they look legitimate. Be aware, though, that it's pretty easy for a company to get a fake address, phone number, and website. If you can, visit the company's physical address and talk to the people who work there.

What is attorney scam?

The term attorney scams is used to denote the ways and means by which a lawyer uses his or her knowledge in law, in order to deceive the clients for the purpose of amassing money. These acts constitute a direct violation of the ethical standards and professional code of lawyers.

How to tell if a lawyer is out to get you?

Tip: If the lawyer has a change of tone and starts acting nervous when they’re around you, they might be out to get you. Most frequent lawyers can tell if you’re not easily convinced and they’ll let go after some pressure. Don’t fall prey to aggression tactics and always trust your instinct when you’re dealing with lawyers.

How to avoid being scammed?

Last, but probably the most important thing to do to avoid being scammed is to ask for second opinion. Never settle for the opinion of just one lawyer and immediately hire his services. It would be better to look for another lawyer who offers free consultation fee regarding the merits of one’s case. A good lawyer never promises victory but only guarantees to uphold justice. A comparison of the lawyers’ opinions will help the client to distinguish a lawyer with genuine intentions from the scamming one.

What to do if your lawyer is acting differently?

If you notice your lawyer acting differently, ask them what prompted the behavioral change. If you’re contacted by people you don’t know offering you services, they might be legitimate or they might be out to scam you. You will find out if you ask them questions.

What to do if someone calls you and claims they are affiliated with a lawyer?

If unknown people start calling you and claiming they’re affiliated with the lawyer, make sure to double-check. Do your research and analyze everyone calling or emailing you. Check out their email, phone number, law firm and more. Make sure the information adds up. Usually scammers act aggressive and pushy when they’re trying to get your money. If your lawyer is not demanding any money, you’re in the clear.

What does it mean to be direct to a lawyer?

Being direct doesn’t only mean telling you the facts. It also means they have integrity. If the lawyer is only telling you things you want to hear, you should replace them.

How to know if a lawyer is licensed?

The first step is to research the credentials of the lawyer representing you. You want to know that the lawyer is licensed and has experience dealing with cases similar to yours. Ask them how many cases they’ve won. Ask about the amount of times they’ve taken their cases to trial. Ask them how many years they’ve worked as a lawyer. Question their qualifications. You want to know the lawyer representing you will give the best chance to win in the court of law.

How can an attorney commit fraud?

Some of the ways in which an attorney can commit fraud are as follows: Misrepresenting the law. Misrepresenting expenses, court costs, or fees. Misappropriating settlement funds or paid judgments. Lying to a client about why he or she did not receive full payment of their rightful share of funds.

What is an attorney expected to do?

Attorneys are expected to perform with honesty, integrity, and to the best of their ability. Fortunately, this is usually the case. Generally, your attorney will be dedicated, competent, and fighting on your side, 100%. However, sometimes this is not the case, and attorneys behave negligently, or sometimes even downright maliciously.

What is a misrepresentation of settlement offer?

Misrepresenting the settlement offer to sway the client to take a higher or lower figure

What is professional misconduct in the bar?

The American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct states that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to “engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.”.

What are the rules of professional conduct?

The American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct states that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to “engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” As such, lawyers are prohibited from submitting false evidence and engaging in any sort of dishonest behavior, both in and outside of the courtroom. Some of the ways in which an attorney can commit fraud are as follows: 1 Misrepresenting the law 2 Misrepresenting expenses, court costs, or fees 3 Misappropriating settlement funds or paid judgments 4 Lying to a client about why he or she did not receive full payment of their rightful share of funds. 5 Providing you with false credentials to persuade you to hire him or her. 6 Making fraudulent, non-fulfilled promises 7 Fraudulently assuring you he or she was working on your case when he or she was not 8 Lying about failure-to-disclose court conferences and hearings 9 Fraudulent failure to reveal major milestones in the case 10 Misrepresenting the settlement offer to sway the client to take a higher or lower figure 11 Fraudulently concealing records or letters provided by the opposing side 12 Fraudulently concealing court orders or other court documents

When a bank accepts for deposit an obviously fraudulent check with multiple clear indications of fraud, is it my professional?

When a bank accepts for deposit an obviously fraudulent check with multiple clear indications of fraud, it is my professional opinion that the Bank cannot claim holder-in-due-course status.

What is the correct spelling of the remitter on a check?

2. In the bottom left-hand corner of the check is the term “Name of Remiter” and the word “remiter” is misspelled. The correct spelling is “remitter.” This is a second indication of fraud.

Is a phony check a cashier's check?

Another interesting wrinkle, and one that also tends to add credibility in the mind of an attorney who is most likely untrained as a banker, is that the phony check is quite often a phony Cashier’s Check or Official Check from a well known bank.

Can anyone be a target for a check scam?

Anyone can become a target for a check scam criminal. However, as strange as this may sound, one of the most popular ( and effective) check scam scenarios today is one that targets attorneys. Expert Witness Don Coker explains what you need to know to protect yourself and to deal with problems that occur. Even Nigerian Internet scams evolve and ...

Is a cashier's check a scam?

As you most likely already know, the reason that a Cashier’s Check is so enticing in one of these scam transactions is that the Cashier’s Check is an obligation of the bank, and not an obligation of the party making the payment. The party that purchased the Cashier’s Check has paid its funds to the bank that issues the check, so the payment risk from the company presenting the Cashier’s Check is an issue for the bank and is not an issue for the recipient of the Cashier’s Check. The recipient of the Cashier’s Check is comforted by knowing that the Cashier’s Check is an obligation of the bank and not of the party that paid the bank for the Cashier’s Check.

Who issued the phony cashier's check?

1. This particular phony Cashier’s Check purportedly was issued by Citibank. The print on the “Citibank” name that appears in the upper left-hand corner of the check was obviously of two different type fonts. Clearly, the criminal that created the check lifted the “Citi” logo, including the umbrella, from one source and then simply added the remaining “bank” in as close a font as he or she could find, and clearly did not do a good job of trying to match up the fonts. This is a clear indication of fraud.

Is a check from an attorney a scam?

Of course, the simple plan for this type of scam is that the initial check received by the attorney, while allegedly a payment from a customer of the fictitious company, is in fact a completely phony check backed by no funds whatsoever, and most certainly sent by the fictitious company itself. The criminal’s intent is to have the attorney deposit the phony check into his personal, business, or Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (“IOLTA account”), and then forward the specified amount of funds on to the fictitious company, leaving a five-figure fee for the attorney.

How does a scam work?

Once an account has been hacked, the criminal learns the details of the real estate transaction and, acting like the seller, emails the lawyer with wiring instructions for the seller’s funds. Even law firms with two-level confirmation procedures for wire instructions have been defrauded because the criminal calls the firm as the seller and confirms the wiring instructions. The firm wires the money to the criminal’s account and it is never seen again. Further, the bank denies any liability because it merely followed the lawyer’s instructions. This scheme has caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of losses in the last week alone. One firm noticed after the fact that the email sent from the “seller” was one letter different than the real seller’s actual email address. To prevent this type of theft, law firms should initiate the phone call to confirm the emailed wire instructions, calling only the number listed in the client file regardless of whether a different number is provided in the email.

What are the three types of scams?

The three major types of scams are 1) Email initiated counterfeit bank checks 2) Forged trust account checks, and 3) Compromised wire instructions. The following is a brief summary of each scam.

How do criminals use email?

By now, all lawyers should know that criminals are using email to act like potential clients requesting representation (typically commercial debt collection or divorce settlement collection). Once the lawyer responds with a request for more information, the “client” provides the lawyer with documentation of the “debt”, often including warehouse receipts, contracts, bills of lading, etc. Shortly after agreeing to pursue the claim and often before a demand letter is even drafted, the lawyer receives a letter and certified bank check from the supposed debtor who is paying because they “don’t want to deal with the law.” The lawyer then deposits the certified bank check (often from a bank up north like Chase so the tellers are less familiar with it) into the trust account. Almost immediately, the client begins demanding his payment via wire. Since the funds are available via provisional credit, the lawyer wires out the money to the client minus the lawyer’s share. The client is never heard from again. Three days later, the bank tells the lawyer that the check was counterfeit and removes the already wired amount from the trust account. Since the lawyer disbursed on provisional credit, the lawyer is responsible for replenishing any trust account deficit. This type of scam has cost lawyers hundreds of thousands of dollars and at least one law license. For tips on detecting and avoiding this scam, view this fact sheet created by Canadian indemnity company, LawPro: http://practicepro.ca/practice/pdf/FraudInfoSheet.pdf

What happens if a lawyer disburses a check on provisional credit?

Since the lawyer disbursed on provisional credit, the lawyer is responsible for replenishing any trust account deficit.

Can a lawyer recover stolen money from a bank?

While the lawyer may have recourse to recover the stolen funds from the bank if it honored the checks, in the interim the lawyer has to deal with a shortage in the trust account and outstanding checks that may bounce. The lawyer may also need to open a new trust account since the old account was compromised.

Why does a law firm give a receipt for a check?

Notably, when a law firm employee deposited the new client’s check, the bank teller gave her a receipt and told her that the funds would be immediately available because the bank did not place “holds” on funds deposited into attorney trust accounts. However, the deposit receipt—like the business account agreement between the firm and the bank—read, “All items are credited subject to final payment. Any item may be charged back at any time before final payment.”

What is Sarrouf Law LLP v First Republic Bank?

First Republic Bank, No. 19-P-31 (Mass. App. Ct. May 20, 2020), involved a variation on these frauds in which a new “client” sought assistance in purchasing heavy construction equipment from a seller in Massachusetts. The law firm was sent a large check to deposit into its attorney trust account and asked to wire the funds out to counterparties two days later. The law firm did so. The check it had been sent was counterfeit and, by the time it learned this, it could not stop the wires. Its attorney trust account was withdrawn by several hundred thousand dollars.

Does advance fee fraud come from phony princes?

Advance-fee fraud does not always come from phony princes in far-off lands, nor does it always target internet newbies. Learn how to protect your practice from this growing trend of nefarious “clients.”.

Is there a scam email for lawyers?

These are the facts of several currently circulating email scams targeting lawyers. There are several variations: One involves a claim for unpaid severance from an Ohio health care company; another involves the collection of overdue loan payments from a Massachusetts restaurant company. The purported adverse party is often a real company and the underlying documents put together with a sophisticated touch—there are no “ Nigerian princes ” involved. But the check is counterfeit and the goal of the scam is to cause the attorney to disburse funds before learning that the check is no good.

What happens after a firm wires money to a client?

After the firm wires the money to the client, the firm’s bank notifies the firm that the payment was fraudulent (for example, a fake cashier’s check). Unfortunately, the firm has already wired the money and wired funds cannot be recovered.

What to do once you review your retainer agreement?

It will be very helpful if we receive your retainer agreement for review. This will enable our board decide on the conditions of the retainer in our next board meeting. Also once we have reviewed your agreement I will forward you supporting documents i.e., proof of payment, sales invoice, wire transfer slip. This will enable your firm start working on this case. I will also call you to follow up on this matter once your firm has agreed to take on this case.

Is the person below real?

First, it is worth noting that the people named below are generally not real people. They are aliases developed by scam artists.

Do you need a demand letter from a seller?

We believe that a normal scenario will require a phone call or demand letter from you to our seller if your services is retained. Although we believed that litigation should be applied as a last resort as we intend to preserve the relationship we have with our seller. Though we do hope not to resort to litigation unless all other options are exhausted but we will like the comfort of knowing that the option is available and letting our seller know that litigation may be enforced if the option becomes necessary.

Do you need a letter from a seller to retain your services?

We believe that a normal scenario will require a phone call or demand letter from you to our seller if your services is retained and litigation should be applied as a last resort.

How to protect yourself from scams?

Knowing what common scams look like will go a long way towards protecting yourself. If you’re looking for help with a bankruptcy or personal injury, for example, be extra vigilant. Know that there are some people out there who would pose as a lawyer or firm, but aren’t able, willing or qualified to actually help you.

How to tell if an email is a scam?

Signs can start showing up immediately. The contact’s email address, name, the subject line of the email, even the format of the email, are all signs that can point to a potential scam. Another sign is a change in tone.

What to do if you're not sure about someone contacting you for money?

If you’re just not sure about someone contacting you for money, stay vigilant, focused, and knowledgeable about how scam artists work and your rights.

What is a recovery scam?

In these cases, artists promised that they would help the victim get their money back.

How do you know if you are being scammed?

One of the key signs of a scam is how a person approaches you . Usually the scammer will make immediate demands that you “have to” respond to now. The simplest way to evade this tactic is to hold on.

What are the most common scams?

Some of the most common scams fall under a few categories: 1 Immigration 2 Accidents and Personal Injury 3 Disability / Insurance claims 4 Tax cases, or getting audited 5 Bankruptcy

Is representation a scam?

What is a Legal Representation Scam? A legal representation scam can take many forms. Generally, people posing as lawyers will advertise services they are not qualified to offer. Once an agreement is signed, the client will pay whatever the posing lawyer asks for to keep the legal process moving forward.

How to file a complaint against a lawyer?

In most states, you can file your complaint by mailing in a state-issued complaint form or a letter with the lawyer's name and contact information, your contact information, a description of the problem, and copies of relevant documents. In some states, you may be able to lodge your complaint over the phone or online.

What happens if a client fires a lawyer?

When a client fires a lawyer and asks for the file, the lawyer must promptly return it. In some states, such as California, the lawyer must return the file even if attorneys’ fees haven’t been paid in full. Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on.

What is the role of a lawyer?

Lawyers are given a lot of responsibility and often deal with serious matters, from criminal charges to child custody to tax and other financial matters. When you hire a lawyer, you are trusting him or her to represent your interests in the best manner possible. To protect the public—and the integrity of the legal profession—each state has its own code of ethics that lawyers must follow. These are usually called the “rules of professional conduct.”

What is incompetence in a lawyer?

Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on. They must also be sufficiently prepared to handle matters that come up in your case, from settlement negotiations to trial. Conflicts of interest.

What are the rules of professional conduct?

The American Bar Association publishes the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which lists standard ethical violations and best practices for lawyers. Some states have adopted the model rules as their own ethical rules, while others use it as a guide and modify or add rules.

Who reviews ethics complaints?

In most cases, a board of lawyers and non-lawyers will review the complaint. If there’s a potential ethical violation, the board will give the lawyer a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond.

Can a lawyer be disciplined?

Lawyers who don’t live up to their ethical obligations can face discipline from a state board.

How many friends endorse you as a lawyer?

The criteria for these subjective ratings rely heavily on peer endorsements, or in other words, popularity contests. If you have 10 friends who will endorse you, congratulations, you’re a super-duper lawyer.

What is a legitimate address?

A legitimate address or office location. The address is always just a virtual mailbox. Photos and names of the team of people responsible for the operations. A phone number that you can call and speak to a person, you might get a phone number that goes to voicemail, that’s it.

Is there a scam to be the top 100 attorney in your state?

Some scams who claim to be the “top 100” attorney in your state, will… get this, break the state into multiple “regions” once they reach the 100 attorney threshold and then change the language to say “state or region.”. This allows them to sell fake awards to more than 100 people in larger states.

Should I purchase an enhanced listing in a law firm directory?

For these reasons, it might make sense to purchase an enhanced listing in these directories if it provides a return on the investment (although I do not recommend displaying the logo on your law firm’s website).

Is misleading language a legitimate nonprofit?

This sort of misleading language is an attempt to fool the consumer into thinking it is some legitimate nonprofit. They are anything but. In fact, some of them are extremely profitable.

Does Lawyer Legion have a headshot?

The same goes for Martindale and SuperLawyers but those directories will not display your headshot or bio either. Lawyer Legion and Justia, which in my completely biased opinion are the two best, will allow you to display all of your contact info, photos, bio, and social media on free listings.