Staying Safe: Important Information for Clients and Third Parties
Your security is extremely important to Ashurst Perkins Coie. Like many organizations in the legal sector, Ashurst Perkins Coie is subject to a growing number of sophisticated fraud attempts in which our brand, and the names of our partners and business professionals, are misused. Ashurst Perkins Coie, its affiliated undertakings, partners, and business professionals have no involvement in any such schemes.
These schemes are constantly evolving and may involve fraudulent emails, text messages, letters, phone calls, social media or instant messages. The guidance below is intended to help you identify and respond to potential fraud. The examples given are illustrative and not exhaustive.
How to Protect Yourself
Always exercise caution when you receive unexpected or unusual communications, particularly when they create a sense of urgency or request confidential information or funds. Before acting on any such communication:
Do not click on any links, download any attachments, or engage with the sender. Verify the communication by contacting Ashurst Perkins Coie using a telephone number you have used before - never use contact details provided in the suspicious communication. If the communication purports to come from a named individual at the firm, check that person's profile on the Ashurst Perkins Coie website.
Safeguarding Payments and Bank Details
Criminals frequently attempt to redirect payments to fraudulent bank accounts. Ashurst Perkins Coie does not regularly change its bank details, which are set out on our legitimate invoices. If you receive any communication suggesting that our payment details have changed, do not transfer any funds and contact our Finance team and the relevant Ashurst Perkins Coie client relationship partner to verify the position before making any payment. Any legitimate change would be confirmed through secure channels and verified by telephone.
Before making any payment, we strongly recommend that you confirm our bank details by calling us on a number you already hold or one from our website. If the details on any invoice or communication differ from those you currently hold, treat this as a potential indicator of fraud.
Recognizing Fraudulent Emails, Calls, and Messages
Many fraud attempts involve emails designed to appear as though they originate from Ashurst Perkins Coie. These emails typically use domain names that closely mimic our legitimate domains, or are sent from free email services - none of which we use for client communications. For reference, the firm’s legitimate email domain name is @ashurstperkins.com.
Such emails may purport to come from a named partner or business professional and may request confidential information, enclose fake invoices, or contain links and attachments designed to install malware. For example, we are aware of fraudulent emails alleging copyright infringement and inviting recipients to click a link to view supposed evidence. Do not click on any such links or open any such attachments. We are also aware of fraudulent phone calls purporting to originate from Ashurst Perkins Coie or intended to lend credibility to fraudulent emails.
Impersonation of Senior Figures
Fraudsters may impersonate senior partners or business professionals at Ashurst Perkins Coie, or senior figures within your own organization, often requesting urgent and confidential action. Do not act on any such communication without first confirming its authenticity through an independent and trusted channel.
Fraudulent Use of the Ashurst Perkins Coie Website and Brand
Third parties may create websites that purport to be operated by, or on behalf of, Ashurst Perkins Coie. The only legitimate Ashurst Perkins Coie web site is https://ashurstperkinscoie.com. If you are directed to websites that do not match this address, please do not enter any personal information or make any payment, and report the matter to us immediately.
Reporting Suspected Fraud
To report an instance of fraud involving the Ashurst Perkins Coie name, or to verify whether a communication is genuine, please contact us as soon as possible at compliance.team@ashurstperkins.com, forwarding any suspicious correspondence as separate attachments where possible. We will respond promptly and take the necessary steps to manage and prevent future fraud attempts.
If you have already transferred money or disclosed information in response to a suspected fraudulent communication, contact your bank immediately. You may also report the incident to your local police service or the appropriate agency in your geographic region. For example, in the UK, report the matter to Action Fraud. The SRA publishes scam alerts when the name of an SRA-regulated entity is being misused: https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/resources/cybercrime/cybercrime/. Additional guidance from the National Crime Agency is available on the SRA website. The U.S. FBI also provides information on common frauds and scams, available at https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams.