Attorneys across the country are facing a growing wave of sophisticated scams. The State Bar of California has issued an important fraud alert outlining ongoing and emerging threats that every law firm should be aware of.
Read the original alert here:
https://www.calbar.ca.gov/legal-professionals/fraud-alert-scams-impacting-attorneys
The alert covers identity theft, trust account scams, wire fraud, and phishing schemes — threats that are not limited to California and pose real risks to Texas attorneys.
Identity Theft of Attorneys
Scammers are stealing attorneys’ names, bar numbers, and professional identities to create fake law firms. Victims often only discover the fraud after “clients” complain or after money has already been taken.
Protect yourself:
- Keep your State Bar profile complete and up to date.
- Monitor how your name and credentials are being used.
- Report suspected identity theft immediately to the State Bar and law enforcement.
Trust Account Scams
Fraudsters posing as clients send fake cashier’s checks and pressure attorneys to wire funds out of the trust account before the check clears. This can leave the firm’s trust account overdrawn and the attorney personally liable.
Wire Fraud & Changed Wire Instructions
Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams remain one of the most damaging threats to law firms. Criminals alter wire instructions via compromised email accounts, often during real estate or settlement transactions.
Key protections:
- Confirm wire instructions with clients in advance.
- Never trust last-minute changes sent only by email.
- Always verify new instructions through a known, trusted channel (phone or video call).
Phishing Schemes
Urgent phishing emails, texts, and calls impersonating banks, courts, clients, or bar associations continue to target attorneys in an attempt to steal credentials or confidential information.
Why This Matters for Texas Law Firms
Texas attorneys have a professional responsibility to protect client funds and sensitive information. Rising scam activity increases the risk of:
- Financial loss
- Trust account violations
- Professional discipline
- Reputational damage
These threats directly intersect with cybersecurity and compliance obligations under rules like Texas SB 2610.
How EmailMeNow Can Help
We help Texas law firms defend against these exact scams through:
- Wire fraud prevention protocols and email security reviews
- Phishing and social engineering training tailored for legal teams
- Trust account security assessments
- Incident response planning
- Support for SB 2610 cybersecurity program documentation
Take proactive steps today.
Run a free Instant Cybersecurity Audit at audit.emailmenow.com.
Contact EmailMeNow IT Consulting for a customized security consultation.
Original Source:
Fraud Alert: New and Old Scams Targeting Attorneys – State Bar of California