In observance of National Consumer Protection Week, The State Bar of California published advice to anyone hiring a lawyer.
To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, click here before signing a contract with anyone offering legal services, they say on their website.
“With legal scams and frauds becoming more sophisticated with AI, deepfakes, and advanced technology, the first step California consumers seeking legal assistance should always take before hiring anyone remains the same: do a simple attorney search on the State Bar’s website,” the state bar’s public trust liaison Enrique Zuniga said email.
Fraudsters can use social media and editing technology to set up fake accounts and websites using licensed attorneys’ names and bar numbers. They can easily create videos or edit legitimate attorney content and change the contact information to entice victims to send them money in advance before cutting off contact, according to the state bar.
Consumers should also be wary of attorneys who approach them in person, by telephone, or by direct messages on social media to offer legal services, as direct solicitation is generally prohibited.
Before hiring an attorney, ask for their state bar number. Consumers can use the search feature to check that the contact information they may have for an attorney matches what is on the state bar profile. Contact them only through the phone number or email address listed on the search site.
If you believe you have been defrauded by someone posing as an attorney, you may also want to file a complaint with local law enforcement authorities, or with federal authorities, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, or Federal Trade Commission.
