Specialist Property Lawyers
Protecting you from Property Fraud and Cybercrime

While property fraud and cybercrime are thankfully uncommon their occurrence is increasing and it pays to be vigilant. Here are a few ways that you can protect yourself:

  • Carefully read all correspondence sent to you – we will provide you with our bank details at the outset and these will not change. Always telephone to check if you have any concerns

  • If you receive our bank details by email and don’t also receive the same details by post, phone us to make sure they are correct on 01276 62641

  • Please do not send us your bank details by email please either phone them through or bring them into our office

  • You can check that we are a genuine conveyancing firm by searching for Specialist Property Lawyers on the Council for Licensed Conveyancers website: www.conveyancer.org.uk

  • Tell us if you are buying an empty or tenanted property – we will seek confirmation from the seller’s lawyer that the seller is who they say they are

  • We will check that your buyers/sellers lawyers are genuine using Lawyer Checker and/or Lender Exchange

General Safeguards

  • If you have to send sensitive information by email do not give a clue to what that information might be in the emails subject line

  • If you are being pushed to proceed very quickly, be careful, fraudsters often use this tactic, emails are used and corners are cut

  • Do not post any updates regarding the progress of your transaction on social media – this is how some fraudsters identify when to send scam emails requesting your money

  • Working with your conveyancer is a two way street. No matter how good and safe your lawyer is, if you are not as vigilant you may end up having your emails hacked or becoming involved in property fraud

  • Visit https://www.gov.uk/protect-land-property-from-fraud it provides useful information about protecting your property from being fraudulently sold or mortgaged

Above all
Remember that buying or selling a property is one of the most important and potentially challenging things you will ever do:

  • Do not instruct the cheapest firm to act for you

  • Visit the firm if possible

  • Speak to the person who will be handling your transaction (or the Head of Practice) and make sure you feel confident in them and their ability

  • Be vigilant