CyberCrime – How to keep yourself safe

Cybercrime has always posed a risk to law firms, particularly in the real estate world given the transactional nature of the business. However, in recent years, cybercrime attacks are becoming more common as well as more sophisticated. Under the guidance and recommendations provided by the SRA, law firms, including Ashworths, are obliged to ensure that preventative steps are in place to ensure your data is kept safe. Whilst we continue to update our policies and practices to ensure they are as efficient as possible, below are a few steps you can take to assist with keeping yourself protected against CyberCrime.

Transferring Funds

1. When arranging to send funds, telephone your case handler to verify the bank details you have received. Bank details can be provided in a variety of formats, and it is unlikely that our client account details will ever change. If you receive correspondence asking for funds to be sent to an alternative account, do not send funds without first speaking with your case handler.
2. Notify us before you send funds. It is much easier to track money when we are aware of the sums being sent. It also means that, in the event funds are not received, we are able to raise the alarm early on, which increases the chance of your funds being recovered.
3. If in doubt, send a nominal sum such as £1.00 to test the validity of the bank details.

Personal Data

1. Ideally, we like to meet all our new clients face to face, and this in part is because it reduces the risk associated with sending documents containing personal data via email. We understand, however, that this is not always possible and in such situations we would suggest that any personal data is provided either via the post or encrypted electronic mail.
2. When corresponding with your fee earner via email, check the sender’s email address each time. Often, fake emails are set up to mimic real law firms and solicitors; therefore, at a glance, it may be difficult to spot that the communication is in fact from a fraudster.
3. Try to avoid using public or non-secure WiFi for communications with Ashworths and/or your case handler.
4. Stay vigilant – be aware of any unusual requests you receive from your fee earner or correspondence confirming a change of details. If in doubt, check the Law Society website using the ‘find a solicitor’ search and cross-reference this information with the firm’s company website.

If in doubt, do not proceed with sending personal data or funds and instead notify Ashworths of your suspicions as soon as possible.