BEC Scam warning

BEC Scam warning: Beware of BEC.  Cybercrime includes Business Email Compromise (BEC) which can be defined as “a criminal act where criminals illegally access an email account and communicate as if they are the user”. Hackers do this by stealing account holders’ usernames and passwords through phishing or other means, to trick users into disclosing their details order using tampered email addresses. They then utilize the compromised information to access and use the user’s email account or to persuade victims that a tampered email originated from a business.

Our trust account details and email address or addresses will at all relevant times remain the same and will not be changed via email [or otherwise] under any circumstances.  If you receive any notification from “US” advising that our bank details have changed and an alternative bank account is to be used please immediately report this to the secretary/attorney dealing with your matter and do not make payment under any circumstances.

Invoices and requests for payment will only be done by hard copy or encrypted WhatsApp communication and not by email. You are warned to carefully read and verify all correspondence and to ensure that the email address(es) from which correspondence with you is received, is an actual address used by this office.

When receiving correspondence, you must compare the email address from which it is received with the address or addresses previously used and ensure that the email received is not fraudulent, fake, or from a modified or tampered address. When making a payment into our trust account, the details must be confirmed with either the attorney or a secretary involved in your matter, before making payment. We will not accept liability, be responsible, or reimburse you if you are the victim of fraud, theft, or business email compromise (BEC).