Contact through the website

Our website allows clients, potential clients and other third parties to contact any member of the firm by telephone or email. Emails to you through our website require particular caution. While most are good opportunities to undertake work, some may simply be a waste of your time or an attempt to involve you in fraud. While our systems filter most of these out, some do get through. Here are some tips when you are contacted via the website:

1. Beware of unexpected emails promising big rewards, especially if poorly drafted.
2. Look at the sender's email sign-off. Does it contain a disclaimer and a link to a business website? Does the email address match up with that web domain?
3. Do a Google search on the name of the potential client. Is there anything that stands out? Do any of the results relate to fraud or other similar conduct?
4. If the sender purports to act on behalf of a company, then use the local online company registry to check if it exists and if they are an officer of it. Otherwise check if they appear on the company's website. Does the email domain match that for the company's website? Is there any particular reason why we have been emailed from a personal account if it relates to company business?
5. If the sender purports to be a regulated professional, check the appropriate body's website to check that they are listed. Is there a good reason for us not to be emailed from an email address listed on the professional register?
6. Don't click on links; instead, hover over them to see where they go. If you are taken to a link and it asks you to sign in, stop immediately and speak to a member of the IT department.
7. Bear in mind our IT Usage Policy, e.g. "You should exercise caution when opening emails from unknown external sources or where, for any reason, an email appears suspicious."
8. Mention fees early, require Costs on Account and don't undercharge.
9. Beware of clients who only wish to instruct you for certain steps or part of the job. In this regard, please see the guidance on unbundled legal services.