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New grievance phishing scam attacks lawyers
RICHARD WEINER
Technology for Lawyers
Published: January 27, 2017
If you receive an email that looks like a bar grievance complaint filing, do not open it. It is probably a phishing expedition.
This particular phishing email is spreading throughout at least 10 states, including Ohio, Florida, New York and Texas. The email tells an attorney that a grievance has been filed and gives a link to click onto.
Don’t. Don’t click on any link that you did not ask to receive. Just don’t. Don’t send money to Nigerian princes either. That link will be to ransomware or other malicious software.
In Ohio, at least, an initial grievance complaint is not even going to come via an email according to Scott J. Drexel, who heads the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Ohio.
Add it all up and being a lawyer makes you a very enticing target for data thieves, ransomware attackers and other hackers.
These attack emails can take several forms according to the ABA Journal.
In one of them, the “from” header lists “The Office of the State Attorney at com.department@outlook.com.” The subject lists “The Office of the State Attorney Complaint.”
“Dear bar member,” the email begins, A complaint has been filed against your business. Enclosed is a copy of the complaint which requires your response. You have 10 days to file a rebuttal if you so desire. You may view the complaint at the link below.”
Another email says “see you in court” in the subject line with a link to what is described as an encrypted document, according to a Maryland State Bar press release. This email could appear to be from a lawyer who is known to the recipient whose email account has been hacked. The encrypted document is actually a computer virus.
As predicted in this very column many, many years ago, hackers are now very specifically going after attorneys.
Because, other than banks, attorneys have the most data on people and therefore attract the most data thieves.
Plus, attorneys, especially older ones, are notoriously naïve about technology. Clicking on links can also get you hacked by Russians (allegedly), losing you a national election (allegedly).
Don’t do it.