Lawyer Portal Careers Contact Us

Law Society of Alberta

  • Who We Are
    • Indigenous Land Acknowledgements

      Indigenous land acknowledgements to recognize the traditional territories that the Law Society of Alberta serves.
      • About Us
      • Executive Leadership Team
      • Board & Committees
        • Board Directory
        • Board Meetings
        • Committees and Task Forces
        • Other Bodies
      • Key Initiatives
        • Indigenous Initiatives
        • COVID-19 Updates
      • Engagement with Public and Profession
      • Affiliations
      • Annual & Financial Reports
      • Strategic Plan
      • Awards & Scholarships
        • Distinguished Service Awards
        • Recognition of Service
        • Scholarships
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • For the Public
    • Complaints

      Find out more about the types of complaints the Law Society can or cannot help you with and how to file a complaint.
      • Find a Lawyer
      • Complaints
      • Finding Files & Wills
      • Public Resources
      • Financial Claims
      • Notices
      • Careers
  • Lawyers & Students
    • COVID-19 Updates

      An archive of announcements, information and resources.
      • Become a Lawyer
      • Membership Services
      • Forms & Certificates
      • Making A Payment
      • Trust Accounting & Safety
        • Responsible Lawyers
        • Filing Requirements
        • Anti-Money Laundering Model Rules
      • Professional Development
      • Fraud & Loss Prevention
      • Practice Advisors
      • Practice Management Consultations
      • Approved Legal Services Providers
      • Complaints
      • Equity Ombudsperson
      • Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association
        • Report a Claim
        • Group Policy
        • ALIAlerts
        • ALIAdvisories
  • Resource Centre
    • Newest resource:

      Understanding and Avoiding Law Society Complaints
      • Learning Centre
      • Student Resources
      • Public Resources
      • Disaster Planning and Recovery
      • Upcoming Events
      • Media Room
      • eBulletins
      • Latest News
      • Lawyer Programs
        • Mentor Connect
        • Mentor Express
        • AdvisorLink
        • Locum Connect
        • Practice Management Consultations
        • SoloNet
        • Assist
      • Key Resources
        • Client Relationships
        • Communication & Research
        • Equity & Diversity
        • Ethics & Professionalism
        • Practice Management
        • Substantive Legal Knowledge
        • Trust Accounting & Safety
        • Wellness
        • Webinars
  • Regulation
    • Act, Code & Rules

      The Law Society of Alberta derives its authority from the Legal Profession Act and sets out standards through its Rules and Code of Conduct.
      • Act, Code & Rules
      • Hearings
        • Schedule
        • Decisions & Outcomes
        • Complaint Dismissal Appeals
        • Adjudicator Directory
        • Tribunal Office
      • Notices
        • Custodianship
        • Disbarment
        • Reinstatement
        • Resignation
        • Suspension
      • Unauthorized Practice of Law
  • Find a Lawyer
Lawyers & Students
  • Become a Lawyer
    • Application & Admission
      • Internationally Trained Lawyers
      • Law Students
      • Canadian Lawyers
    • Articling
      • Articling Process
      • Court Clerkships
      • Composite Articles
      • Secondments
    • Bar Admission Program
    • Bar Call & Enrolment
    • Resources
      • Student Recruitment
      • Indigenous Law Student Summer Employment Program
      • Forms & Certificates
  • Visiting Lawyers
    • Mobility Agreements
    • Permits & Conditions
  • Membership Services
    • Billing Cycles, Filing Deadlines and Other Key Dates
    • Status Options & Contact Information Changes
    • Fees & Refunds
    • Membership & Indemnity Program Renewals
      • Indemnity Renewal FAQs
    • Member & Indemnity Certificates
    • Indemnity & Indemnity Exemptions
    • Professional Corporations (PCs)
    • Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
  • Complaints
    • Complaints About Discrimination or Harassment in the Profession
    • What Lawyers Can Expect If They Are the Subject of a Complaint
  • Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association (ALIA)
    • About ALIA
    • Report a Claim
    • ALIAlerts
    • ALIAdvisories
    • Group Policy
      • Policy Changes
    • Indemnity Levy
    • Civil Litigation Filing Levy Pilot
      • Civil Litigation Filing Levy FAQs
    • Enhanced Surcharge Protocol
      • Enhanced Surcharge Protocol: FAQs
    • ALIA Board
    • Financial Reports
    • Indemnity Forms
    • Making A Payment To ALIA
  • Continuing Professional Development
    • Leading a New Era of Lawyer Competency: FAQ
    • Background
      • Competencies
      • Reflective Practice
    • Step-by-Step
    • Activities
    • Accreditation
    • Resource Providers
  • Practice Advisors
  • Trust Accounting & Safety
    • Responsible Lawyers
    • Filing Requirements
      • Law Firm Self-Report
      • Trust Safety Accounting Upload
    • Anti-Money Laundering Model Rules
      • No Cash Model Rule
      • Client Identification and Verification
      • New Trust Accounting Rule
      • Risk Advisories
      • Tools & Templates
      • FAQ: Anti-money laundering and terrorist financing
    • Forms for Financial Records, Accounts & Trusts
    • Trust Safety: FAQ
  • Practice Management Consultations
    • Request a Consultation
  • Equity Ombudsperson
  • Fraud & Loss Prevention
    • Red Flags
    • Loss Prevention
    • Supplemental Resources & Links
  • Approved Legal Services Providers
  • Making A Payment
  • Forms & Certificates
  • Home
  • Lawyers & Students
  • Fraud & Loss Prevention
  • Red Flags
Red Flags

Fraudsters are going to great lengths to make their schemes appear legitimate, using sophisticated variations of client names, locations, fake documents and identification and back stories. Although there is no way to know what the next scam will look like, most demonstrate common patterns that if identified, can help prevent fraud and loss.

Red flags can be as simple as situations where little or no legal work is required but a large sum of money is expected to flow into your trust account, or spelling and/or grammar mistakes in communication by companies or individuals asking you to represent them. Don’t let the demands of an insistent client push you into something you are uncomfortable doing and until all of your questions are answered to your satisfaction.

Below is a list of red flags, which although they do not necessarily identify fraud, can be an indicator of problems or risk.

Possible Red Flags

Emails

  • Generically addressed emails (“Dear attorney” or “Attention counsel”), emails that are sent to undisclosed recipients, or the use of the word attorney in the subject line or body of the email;
  • Emails where the sender’s email address and the displayed name for that address are different;
  • Emails that request a reply be sent to a person or email address that is different from the sender’s name or email address;
  • Emails that give a referral source which wouldn’t have your name (a website that does not list you or a bar association you are not a member); and
  • Individuals using a personal email account from AOL, MSN, Gmail or similar free email services who contact you to do work on behalf of a major corporation or business.

Clients

  • Clients who insist that email is the only way to communicate due to time zone differences;
  • The client is overseas, unknown to the company and pressures that you “make the case” quickly;
  • Clients who renege or delay on promised payment of a retainer (when the bad cheque payment from the ex-spouse or loan advance arrives they will ask you to take payment from it);
  • Clients who, without question or hesitation are willing to pay hourly rates, flat fees or contingency fees that are far higher than normal;
  • Clients who insist on or who are not worried about shortcuts being taken;
  • One or more delays in the payment or advance of funds (this is usually an attempt to create a sense of urgency to quickly disburse the funds when they finally do arrive);
  • Debtors who seem overly anxious or who unexpectedly pay outstanding debts;
  • Debtors who pay up without any hassle which is unusual given the client’s dire need to retain you in the first place;
  • Request that sale proceeds be made payable from your trust account to a third party who is not connected to the transaction; and
  • A client with no apparent connection to you, who compliments you on your “special expertise or qualifications”.

Payment/Received Cheque

  • The issuer of the cheque or bank draft you receive doesn’t make sense given the type of payment (a payment of spousal support arrears by a cheque from corporation, charity or travel agency);
  • The cheque or bank draft arrives from an address that doesn’t make sense, is in an envelope with a handwritten address and/or is without a covering letter;
  • The payment or loan advance is not in the form you expected or requested and/or it is for an amount that is different than expected; and
  • Unexpected or changed circumstances leading to the client wanting to wire funds off-shore to a third party on urgent basis for reasons not related to the legal matter you are handling.
More examples
  • Bad Cheque Scam
  • Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud
Printed from https://www.lawsociety.ab.ca on January 17, 2021 at 7:08:06 PM
Law Society of Alberta ©2021 Law Society of Alberta.
  • Latest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Careers
©2021 Law Society of Alberta.
  • Who We Are
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Executive Leadership Team
    • Board & Committees
      • Back
      • Board Directory
      • Board Meetings
      • Committees and Task Forces
      • Other Bodies
    • Key Initiatives
      • Back
      • Indigenous Initiatives
      • COVID-19 Updates
    • Engagement with Public and Profession
    • Affiliations
    • Annual & Financial Reports
    • Strategic Plan
    • Awards & Scholarships
      • Back
      • Distinguished Service Awards
      • Recognition of Service
      • Scholarships
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • For the Public
    • Back
    • Find a Lawyer
    • Complaints
    • Finding Files & Wills
    • Public Resources
    • Financial Claims
    • Notices
    • Careers
  • Lawyers & Students
    • Back
    • Become a Lawyer
    • Membership Services
    • Forms & Certificates
    • Making A Payment
    • Trust Accounting & Safety
      • Back
      • Responsible Lawyers
      • Filing Requirements
      • Anti-Money Laundering Model Rules
    • Professional Development
    • Fraud & Loss Prevention
    • Practice Advisors
    • Practice Management Consultations
    • Approved Legal Services Providers
    • Complaints
    • Equity Ombudsperson
    • Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association
      • Back
      • Report a Claim
      • Group Policy
      • ALIAlerts
      • ALIAdvisories
  • Resource Centre
    • Back
    • Learning Centre
    • Student Resources
    • Public Resources
    • Disaster Planning and Recovery
    • Upcoming Events
    • Media Room
    • eBulletins
    • Latest News
    • Lawyer Programs
      • Back
      • Mentor Connect
      • Mentor Express
      • AdvisorLink
      • Locum Connect
      • Practice Management Consultations
      • SoloNet
      • Assist
    • Key Resources
      • Back
      • Client Relationships
      • Communication & Research
      • Equity & Diversity
      • Ethics & Professionalism
      • Practice Management
      • Substantive Legal Knowledge
      • Trust Accounting & Safety
      • Wellness
      • Webinars
  • Regulation
    • Back
    • Act, Code & Rules
    • Hearings
      • Back
      • Schedule
      • Decisions & Outcomes
      • Complaint Dismissal Appeals
      • Adjudicator Directory
      • Tribunal Office
    • Notices
      • Back
      • Custodianship
      • Disbarment
      • Reinstatement
      • Resignation
      • Suspension
    • Unauthorized Practice of Law
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Lawyer Portal
  • Contact

Email: AdvisorLink

Fill in the form below to get in touch with AdvisorLink
  • 1. AdvisorLink (operated by the Office of the Practice Advisors) and the Advisors accept no liability whatsoever arising from assistance given to lawyers or to any persons claiming through or under them.
    2. Lawyers are obligated to independently verify statements of law, procedure or fact made to them by the Advisor, before relying on them.
    3. AdvisorLink must not be used as a substitute for the lawyers’ own thorough research and analysis or for the lawyers’ own professional judgment.

Email: Accounting

Fill in the form below to get in touch with Accounting
  • Drop files here or
      Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

    Email: Customer Service

    Fill in the form below to get in touch.
    • Drop files here or
        Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

      Email: General Feedback

      Fill in the form below to get in touch with General Feedback
      • Drop files here or
          Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

        Email: Communications and Media Relations

        Fill in the form below to get in touch with Communications and Media Relations.
        • Drop files here or
            Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

          Email: Indigenous Initiatives Liaison

          Fill in the form below to get in touch with Andrea Menard
          • Drop files here or
              Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

            Email: Membership Services

            Fill in the form below to get in touch with Membership Services
            • Drop files here or
                Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

              Email: Manager, Membership Services

              Fill in the form below to get in touch with Tina McKay
              • Drop files here or
                  Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                Email: Elizabeth Aspinall

                Fill in the form below to get in touch with Elizabeth Aspinall
                • Drop files here or
                    Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                  Email: Jesse Mackenzie

                  Fill in the form below to get in touch with Jesse Mackenzie
                  • Drop files here or
                      Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                    Email: Allan Guty

                    Fill in the form below to get in touch with Allan Guty
                    • Drop files here or
                        Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                      Email: SoloNet

                      Fill in the form below to get in touch with SoloNet
                      • Drop files here or
                          Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                        Email: Practice Management

                        • Drop files here or
                            Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                          Email: Nancy Bains

                          Fill in the form below to get in touch with Nancy Bains
                          • Drop files here or
                              Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                            Email: Inform Trust Safety

                            Fill in the form below to get in touch with Inform Trust Safety
                            • Drop files here or
                                Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                              Email: Trust Safety

                              Fill in the form below to get in touch with Trust Safety
                              • Drop files here or
                                  Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                Email: Information Management

                                Fill in the form below to get in touch with Information Management
                                • Drop files here or
                                    Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                  Email: Election

                                  Fill in the form below to get in touch with Election
                                  • Drop files here or
                                      Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                    Email: Justicia Project

                                    Fill in the form below to get in touch with Justicia Project
                                    • Drop files here or
                                        Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                      Email: Locum Connect

                                      Fill in the form below to get in touch with Locum Connect
                                      • Drop files here or
                                          Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                        Email: Mentor Connect

                                        Fill in the form below to get in touch with Mentor Connect
                                        • Drop files here or
                                            Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                          Email: Mentor Express

                                          Fill in the form below to get in touch with Mentor Express
                                          • Drop files here or
                                              Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                            Email: Indigenous Law Student Summer Employment Program

                                            Fill in the form below to get in touch with Indigenous Law Student Summer Employment Program
                                            • Drop files here or
                                                Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                              Email: ALIA

                                              Fill in the form below to get in touch with ALIA
                                              • Drop files here or
                                                  Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                                Email: ALIAlert fraud alerts

                                                Fill in the form below to get in touch with ALIAlert fraud alerts
                                                • Drop files here or
                                                    Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                                  Email: Equity Ombudsperson

                                                  Fill in the form below to get in touch with Elizabeth Aspinall
                                                  • Drop files here or
                                                      Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                                    Email: Tribunal Office

                                                    Fill in the form below to get in touch with Tribunal Office
                                                    • Drop files here or
                                                        Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                                      Email: Custodianship

                                                      Fill in the form below to get in touch with Custodianship
                                                      • Drop files here or
                                                          Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.