NEW SCAM ALERTS POSTED BY THE FBI / US LAW FIRMS TARGETED:

NEW SCAM ALERTS POSTED BY THE FBI: 03/12/12— U.S. Law Firms Continue to be the Target of Counterfeit Check Scheme

The IC3 continues to receive reports of counterfeit check schemes targeting U.S. law firms. The scammers contact lawyers via e-mail, claiming to be overseas and requesting legal representation in collecting a debt from third parties located in the U.S. The law firms receive a retainer agreement and a check payable to the law firm. The firms are instructed to deposit the check, take out retainer fees, and wire the remaining funds to banks in China, Korea, Ireland, or Canada. After the funds are wired overseas, the checks are determined to be counterfeit.

In a slight variation of the scheme’s execution, the victim law firm receives an e-mail from what appears to be an attorney located in another state requesting assistance for a client. The client needs aid in collecting a debt from a company located in the victim law firm’s state. In some cases, the name of the referring attorney and the debtor company used in the e-mail were verified as legitimate entities and were being used as part of the scheme. The law firm receives a signed retainer agreement and a check made payable to the law firm from the alleged debtor. The client instructs the law firm to deposit the check and to wire the funds, minus all fees, to an overseas bank account. The law firm discovers after the funds are wired that the check is counterfeit.

Law firms should use caution when engaging in transactions with parties who are handling their business solely via e-mail, particularly those parties claiming to reside overseas. Attorneys who agree to represent a client in circumstances similar to those described above should consider incorporating a provision into their retainer agreement that allows the attorney to hold funds received from a debtor for a sufficient period of time to verify the validity of the check.

NEW SCAM ALERTS POSTED BY THE FBI: Empire Specialized Investigations, is your advocate and investigation consultant. ESI takes a proactive approach to consumer awareness issues. Our agency is up to date crime statistics, new e-scams and alerts, posted by the Homeland Security, FBI, local law enforcement bulletins and notification from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. We recognize your need for exceptional investigative services, nothing else will do. That’s our pledge to you; professional investigators and outstanding service. Contact ESI (949) 645-1492 should you need to speak with an investigator. Empire Specialized Investigations, Professional Services Orange County, CA