Scammers are increasingly pretending to be law firms, conveyancers and real estate agents. Property transactions are a favourite target, because large amounts of money change hands on fixed dates. Fraudsters may copy our name, logo, email signature or phone number, or send emails from addresses that look almost identical to ours.
This page explains how we deal with you, what we’ll never do, and what to do if you’re unsure whether a message is really from us. If in doubt, stop and call us on (02) 4611 7092 before you do anything else.
Our commitments to you
- Our bank details are provided in your engagement letter, and we will never change them by email or text message. If you receive a message saying our bank details have changed, treat it as a scam.
- We will never ask for your online banking password, PIN or a one-time security code.
- We will never pressure you to send money to an account you haven’t confirmed with us.
- Our team’s emails come from @hindsightlegal.com.au addresses. Watch for look-alike addresses with extra letters, hyphens or a different ending.
Common scams to watch for
Fake bank details (payment redirection)
This is the most common scam in property transactions. A fraudster gets into, or imitates, the email account of a lawyer, conveyancer, agent, buyer or seller. They then send a convincing message with “updated” bank details for a deposit, settlement funds or an invoice. Once money is sent to the wrong account it’s often moved on within hours and may never be recovered.
Impersonating our firm
Scammers may use our name, logo or staff names in emails, texts, social media messages or phone calls. They may set up email addresses or websites that are almost identical to ours, or change the display name on an email so it looks like it comes from us.
Fake invoices and urgent legal notices
Be wary of unexpected invoices, demands for payment, or notices threatening legal action unless you act immediately, especially if they include a link or an attachment you weren’t expecting.
Offers to recover lost money
People who have already been scammed are often targeted again by someone offering to recover their money for an upfront fee, sometimes claiming to be lawyers or a government agency. Treat any unsolicited offer like this with great caution.
How to spot a scam message
- Check the full email address, not just the sender’s name. Small differences, like an extra letter or a different domain ending, are a warning sign.
- Be suspicious of urgency or threats. Scammers try to rush you so you don’t stop and check.
- Watch for any change to payment details, however routine or official the explanation sounds.
- Don’t open unexpected links or attachments, or enter your login details on a page you reached from an email or text.
- Look for anything that feels off, such as an unusual tone, odd formatting, spelling mistakes or a different email signature.
Before you transfer any money
- Only pay into the account set out in your engagement letter. If you’re unsure about any payment details, call us on (02) 4611 7092 before you pay. Use the number on this website, not a number in an email or text.
- Use your bank’s payee verification service. Most Australian banks now offer Confirmation of Payee, which checks whether the BSB and account number you enter match the account name. Before you make any payment, check that the result matches our account name as shown in your engagement letter. If it says the details don’t match, stop and call us.
- Never rely on bank details received by email alone, even if the email looks like it comes from us, your agent or the other party’s lawyer.
- If you get an email asking you to pay into a different account, don’t reply to it. Call us on our usual number instead.
- Keep your own email account secure: use a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication.
If you think you’ve been targeted
- Don’t reply, click any links or open attachments in the suspicious message.
- Contact us directly on (02) 4611 7092 or contact@hindsightlegal.com.au, using the details on this website.
- If you’ve already sent money, call your bank immediately. The sooner your bank knows, the better the chance of stopping or recovering the payment. Use the number on your bank’s website or card, not one in the scam message.
- Report it to the Australian Signals Directorate through ReportCyber (Australian Cyber Security Hotline 1300 292 371) and to the National Anti-Scam Centre through Scamwatch.
- Get support if your personal details may have been compromised. IDCARE offers free support on 1800 595 160.
Tell us about scams using our name
If you receive a message that uses our name and you’re not sure it’s genuine, please let us know, even if you didn’t act on it. Forward the message to contact@hindsightlegal.com.au or call us. It helps us warn other clients and act against the people behind it.
This page is general information only and is not legal advice.
Not sure if a message is from us?
Call us to check
Before you pay or reply
If something doesn’t look right, stop and call us on the number on this website. We’re always happy to confirm whether a message, invoice or set of bank details is genuine.