The Virginia State Bar alerted lawyers to a scam in which callers use spoofed phone numbers that appear to be a law firm’s number to demand false payments and threaten arrest; the bar urges firms and victims to report incidents to state and federal hotlines.
Callers falsely claim an individual owes money and may threaten arrest or legal action to coerce payment.
If a firm’s number or identity is compromised, the Virginia State Bar advises notifying affected parties and reporting incidents.
Report suspected incidents to the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline (1-800-552-9963) or the FTC hotline (1-877-382-4357).
# Overview
# How the scam works
The VSB characterized the activity as a significant scam and said it had been informed of multiple incidents that use this tactic to target clients and the public.
# What the Virginia State Bar is advising
The VSB cautioned lawyers and law firms to stay alert for this type of spoofing. If a firm becomes aware that its phone information or identity has been compromised, the VSB recommends notifying affected parties. Victims or firms that believe they have been targeted are asked to report details to the appropriate consumer protection hotlines.
# Reporting: phone numbers to call
The VSB specifically directs firms that believe their information has been compromised, and individuals who believe they are victims of the scam, to report details to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline. Scams can also be reported to the FTC hotline listed above.
# Practical implications for firms and clients
Law firms should be aware that appearing on caller ID does not guarantee a call's legitimacy. The VSB advisory makes two concrete requests: remain vigilant and notify affected parties if a firm's phone information is compromised. Individuals who receive calls demanding payment and threatening legal action should treat those calls as potential fraud and report them using the contact points above.
# Bottom line
This advisory warns of an active and persuasive scam using caller ID spoofing to impersonate lawyers and law firms and to extract payments through false claims and threats. The VSB has asked firms to alert any impacted clients and directed victims to report incidents to the Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline (1-800-552-9963) or the Federal Trade Commission hotline (1-877-382-4357).
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