Cashier's Check Scam Targets Attorneys

Abstract:     
A modern version of advance fee fraud involving cashier's checks and wire transfers is targeting attorneys. Attorneys are contacted by a purported client and asked to collect a debt or perform other legal work. The attorney typically performs only a small amount of legal work before receiving a cashier's check on behalf of the client. The client instructs the attorney to keep his or her fee and wire the rest to the client. After the wire has been completed, the attorney learns the cashier's check was fraudulent. This article discusses the legal implications for attorneys caught in the fraud and offers suggestions for spotting and avoiding scam.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 5

Keywords: cashier's check, wire transfer, Uniform Commercial Code, fraud, good faith, attorney trust accounts

JEL Classification: G20, G21, K20, K23

Accepted Paper Series