Beware of fraudulent emails impersonating HRJ Foreman Laws
Like many reputable organisations, HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors occasionally becomes aware that our firm’s name, or the names of our solicitors and employees, are being misused for fraudulent purposes.
If you receive any communication that appears to be from HRJ Foreman Laws or one of our team members and you have any doubts about its authenticity, please call your usual contact at our firm before taking any further action.
We take fraudulent activity seriously and report all instances involving our name to the relevant regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies.
LATEST ALERTS
March 2025
Conveyancing – bank details scam
Clients have reported receiving an email from one of our conveyancers that appears to be using the correct name and email address. However the content of the email is suspicious. It states that we have changed our bank details and is asking for payment of funds to complete a property transaction. If you receive any emails reporting to be from our firm and suggesting we have new bank details, it is a scam. We will never notify you of changes to our bank account details via email. If you receive an email with this request, do not reply or act on the information provided. Instead, please immediately contact your conveyancer via telephone.
Conveyancing – download scam
Some clients have reported receiving a highly convincing email from one of our conveyancers to share a file. There is a button to open the document. The email is fraudulent, and the link to open the file does not lead to a legitimate document. If you receive an email asking you to download a document from us, do not click on it. Instead, you should immediately contact your conveyancer via their official email or telephone us to verify the message.
January 2023
Inheritance scam
Be cautious of unsolicited emails claiming you’ve inherited a large sum from a distant relative, supposedly represented by HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors. These are likely scams using false names and email addresses. Do not reply, instead forward the email to info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk for verification by our Wills, Trusts & Probate team. Block the sender and delete the message. For further advice on identifying and avoiding these scams. Read our article – Beware of inheritance tax scams.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FINANCIAL SCAMS
A widespread scam involving solicitor firms is one about financial transactions. They may state that we’ve changed our bank details or ask you to make a payment into a different bank account. Please be aware that we will never notify you of changes to our bank account details via email. If you receive an email claiming to provide new bank details, even if it looks like it’s from us, do not reply to the email or act on the information provided. Instead, please immediately contact your solicitor by phone to confirm the correct details.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LEGAL SCAMS
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) also publishes information and advice about scams in the legal sector nationally. Read more on its scam alert page here.
ESSENTIAL TIPS TO AVOID FALLING PREY TO A SCAMMER
To help protect yourself from scammers, follow these important tips.
Verify the “From” email address – Carefully examine the sender’s email address. Ensure it precisely matches the official format of the company or individual it claims to be from. Scammers often use slightly altered addresses, typos, or free email platforms like Gmail or Hotmail.
Exercise caution before replying – do not respond to any suspicious email until you’ve confirmed its authenticity through independent means.
Avoid attachments and links – Never open email attachments or click on hyperlinks received from unknown or unverified senders, as these can contain malware or phishing attempts.
Sharing personal details via telephone – legitimate organisations will rarely call you out of the blue to request personal or financial information. If you receive an unexpected call, be wary of anyone asking for details like bank account numbers, passwords, or other sensitive data. Never feel pressured to make a decision or provide information immediately. Always take the time to verify the caller’s identity by hanging up and calling back using a known number.
Conduct independent research – If you have doubts, research the purported firm or sender using names, contact details, or phrases from the email. Online searches may reveal prior reports or warnings about similar scams.
Block and delete – If you suspect a scam, immediately block the sender and delete the message.
Report fraud– If you’ve been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and internet crime reporting centre.
Seek support – You may also find assistance and guidance from various charities and support groups, some of which are listed on the Metropolitan Police website.
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Contact us today
Hitchin
01462 458711
Welwyn Garden City
01707 887 700
Old Harlow
01279 709100
London
0203 327 9001
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