Scam Warning

Fraudsters often pose as agents of reputable law firms such as Askews in an attempt to mislead their victims.

The public should be aware that fraudsters may pose as someone from Askews Solicitors with a view to commit fraud.

Askews is vigilant to the risk of cybercrime

Our team of solicitors is keenly aware that the legal sector is a frequent target for cybercrime. To stay ahead of these threats, we conduct regular training to ensure our staff remain alert and well-prepared.

However, when cybercriminals target clients directly, it can be more challenging for us to detect suspicious activity. For this reason, we strongly encourage members of the public to educate themselves on the risks and types of cybercrime, as well as the preventative measures they can take to minimise the risk of becoming a victim.

Help us reduce cybercrime in the legal sector

Askews Solicitors does not engage in cold-calling or send unsolicited emails to members of the public who are not involved in an ongoing case. You should never transfer money to anyone without first verifying the legitimacy of the request.

We will never inform you of changes to our bank details via email, nor will we accept notification of changes to your bank details through this method. It is your responsibility to confirm with the solicitor handling your matter (by the phone number or postal address found on www.www.askews.com, or in person) that you are using our correct bank details to avoid errors, delays or fraud.

We will not be liable for any loss arising from funds being transferred to an incorrect bank account.

Are you suspicious of something you received from us?

If you have any doubts regarding the contact you received from us, please note the following:

Emails: Legitimate emails from Askews Solicitors will end with www.askews.com (e.g., noreply@www.askews.com). Occasionally, our third-party partners may email you on our behalf. Despite this, exercise caution if you receive an email claiming to be from Askews but using a different domain. We will never contact you from personal email providers such as gmail.com, hotmail.com and outlook.com.
Telephone: If you have any doubts about a caller claiming to be from Askews Solicitors, take their name, end the call, and contact us on 01642 475252, Monday to Friday, 08:30-17:00. Ask for the person using the name they provided. Genuine Askews Solicitors employees will not be offended, inconvenienced, or annoyed by this, nor will they discourage you from verifying their identity.
Post: If you receive a letter that raises any concerns, please call the sender using the contact details provided on this website or contact our main office on 01642 475252 to confirm its authenticity.

Common scams the public should be aware of

Conveyancing Scams: Fraudsters intercept communications between solicitors and clients during property transactions, often providing false bank details to divert funds.
Email Interception and Spoofing: Cybercriminals gain access to email accounts or create similar email addresses to impersonate solicitors, requesting funds or confidential information.
Phishing: Scammers use emails, phone calls or messages to trick legal professionals or clients into revealing sensitive information such as passwords or bank details.
Money Laundering: Criminals use legal professionals to launder illicit funds through property transactions, company formations or trust accounts.
Investment Scams: Fraudsters promote fraudulent investment opportunities, often involving high returns, and use legal professionals to add credibility to the scheme.
Wills & Probate Scams: Scammers pose as beneficiaries or use forged documents to claim assets from deceased estates, often targeting vulnerable families.
Personal Injury Claims Scams: Fraudulent claims are made for injuries that did not occur or are exaggerated, sometimes involving staged accidents or fake medical reports.
Blackmail and Extortion: Cybercriminals or disgruntled parties threaten to expose sensitive information or to harm the reputation of legal professionals unless paid a ransom.
Fake Law Firms and Solicitors: Scammers set up fake law firms or impersonate genuine solicitors to deceive individuals into paying for legal services that are never delivered.
Identity Theft: Fraudsters steal personal or professional information of solicitors or clients to commit further fraud or gain access to sensitive information.
Advance Fee / Payment on Account Fraud: Victims are asked to pay fees in advance for legal services or compensations that do not exist or are never provided.
Fake Client and Matter Scams: Fraudsters approach law firms pretending to be clients in order to gain confidential information, obtain services without payment or perpetrate fraud.

SRA Scam Alerts

The Solicitors Regulation Authority aims to help members of the public make well-informed choices about using legal services. Their useful scam alerts warn you about people who call themselves solicitors but are not.

Visit SRA: Scam Alerts to stay up to date on the latest scams targeting law firms and their clients.

Friends Against Scams

Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against scams.

By attending a Friends Against Scams awareness session or completing their online learning, anyone can learn about the different types of scams and how to spot and support a victim. With increased knowledge and awareness, people can make scams part of everyday conversation with their family, friends and neighbours, which will enable them to protect themselves and others.

Visit Friends Against Scams to learn more.

Action Fraud & Cleveland Police

Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. It collects reports about fraud on behalf of the police in England.

Once you have reported a matter to Action Fraud, your report will be forwarded to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which is part of the City of London Police. The NFIB will then assess the information to determine the appropriate course of action.

If they find that your report contains sufficient details for further investigation, it will be passed to the local police force in the area where the crime occurred. The local police will review the information and decide whether to proceed with an investigation. They should keep you informed of their decision and the next steps.

Visit Cleveland Police: Action Fraud to learn more.