Between June and August 2013 the NFIB undertook a review of all Action Fraud reports and found a considerable proportion relating to instances whereby individuals were cold called by fraudsters purporting to be solicitors.
In all the reports analysed the bogus solicitors asked their victims to pay an advance fee for their “services” ranging from inheritance collection to Payment Protection Insurance. The bogus solicitors are not who they say they are and will take your money and disappear.
The fraudsters used these methods:
- Debt: Victims were cold called by individuals purporting to be from a law firm, advising them that there was outstanding debt and if this was not cleared then there would be warrant issued for their arrest.
- Inheritance: Victims were cold called and advised that a deceased relative had left a will which named them as a beneficiary of their estate.
- Accidents: Victims were cold called by a “solicitor” and advised that they were entitled to compensation in relation to an historical accident.
- Recovery: Victims were cold called by various individuals purporting to be from various organisations such as Action Fraud, and advised that they were able to recover funds from a previous fraud – this is known as fraud recovery fraud.
- Immigration: Bogus solicitors were offering services to immigrants detained in detention centres, offering legal services.
If you receive a suspicious cold call end it immediately, report it to us and do not give out any money or personal details. Remember; if it seems too good be true, it probably is
To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.
Related links
Sky card scam
Bogus telephone calls from OnlineTec
Alert – fraudster claiming to be from Action Fraud
