Navigation Beware the cashier’s check scam
Keep your guard up. The old cashier’s check scam is making the rounds, again.
The Florida Bar has been contacted recently by a number of members who said they interacted with “clients” who turned out to be con men. The scams were sniffed out before any money was lost, but the details are quite familiar.
The lawyers were initially contacted via email or phone to resolve a contract dispute or collections matter. Soon after engagement, the opposing party capitulates, a large cashier’s check shows up at the office — often written on a foreign bank — with instructions asking the check be deposited in the lawyer’s trust account and the cash be immediately wired to the client, minus the lawyer’s fee. Of course, the check is no good and if money is wired away, the lawyer is stuck holding the bag.
