New Scam Alert:
Protect yourself from payment diversion fraud when buying a new property.
City of London Police and Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, are urging the public to remain vigilant following a rise in payment diversion fraud - commonly known as conveyancing fraud. This type of fraud often involves criminals impersonating solicitors or estate agents to intercept large financial transfers during property transactions.
Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, 143 cases of conveyancing fraud were reported to Action Fraud, resulting in £11.7 million in losses. The vast majority involved residential property transactions, accounting for 140 reports and £10.97 million in losses, with an average loss of £78,393 per case.
What is conveyancing fraud or payment diversion fraud?
Conveyancing fraud, also referred to as lawyer or solicitor impersonation fraud, occurs when criminals gain access to email chains between property buyers, sellers, solicitors, and estate agents. Once inside, they impersonate a trusted party and send convincing messages requesting that funds, such as deposits or final payments, be transferred to bank accounts under their control.
These scams are often timed to coincide with the final stages of a transaction, when large sums are expected to be moved quickly. Fraudsters apply pressure, claiming urgency, and convincing victims that delays could jeopardise the deal.
This type of fraud isn’t limited to home purchases - it has also been reported in rental agreements and probate transactions, where funds are transferred as part of estate settlements. Fraudsters will often use hacked or spoofed email accounts so that their messages can appear highly authentic. Victims may not realise they’ve been deceived until the money is gone.
How to protect yourself from conveyancing fraud:
- Receiving bank details securely: always get your solicitor’s bank details in-person or over the phone at the start of the conveyancing process, and request that any changes to these details be communicated with you in-person, by phone call, or by letter.
- Email or texts asking you to change bank details: if you receive a message that feels suspicious, such as a request from your solicitor asking you to amend payment information, STOP! Think fraud. Contact your solicitor directly, over the phone or in-person, and verify that the request was genuine.
- Prioritise your email security: you should use three random words to create a strong and separate password for your email account. Enable two-step verification to add an extra level of security.
What to do if you are a victim of conveyancing fraud:
- If you have made a payment: inform your bank as soon as possible, they can help you prevent any further losses.
- Report: if you become the victim of conveyancing fraud, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card and report it to Action Fraud online at http://actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you're in Scotland, you can report it to Police Scotland on 101.
- You could be targeted again: fraudsters sometimes re-establish contact with previous victims claiming that they can help them recover lost money, this is just a secondary scam. Hang up on any callers that claim they can get your money back for you.
Do you want to learn more about payment diversion fraud? Check out the City of London press release here.
NW Nottingham Knockers/Fake stickers and QR Codes
I thought I would explain further about Nottingham Knockers:
Their name may be associated with the city of Nottingham, but this group can still target anywhere across the country.
They take the form of young men who descend on an area together in a car or a van. They normally arrive with a large bag of cleaning or sometimes gardening products each and a plan to go door to door in search of cash sales. Whilst selling at the doorstep - although not illegal but they should have a pedlar's licence but are known for their aggressive behaviour and premium price tags of poor quality.
They often claim they are ex- offenders trying to make a living and may carry a mocked up ID Card. Remember if they are uninvited you do not need to answer the door, if you do answer then make sure ( if you have one) put the door chain on if not say you are not interested and firmly close the door. If they do become aggressive you can inform them, you are calling the police. They seem to make a quick exit!
Fake Stickers and QR Codes.
There has been recently some fake stickers and QR codes being placed over contactless card readers on ticket machine in car parks. When drivers tap to pay for parking, the machine shows “card declined” but by then the card details may already be compromised.
The scam causes several issues for victims as they end up giving their money to scammers and giving them their card details.
It can also lead to parking fines as victims fail to pay the correct parking fare via the correct channels.
Three signs to note it is a genuine parking notice:
- Real parking fines will include the vehicle registration.
- Real Parking will show the time and date of the offence.
- Real Parking will show the location where the alleged offence took place.
A genuine parking fine will always come in writing and be left on your windscreen, or handed to you in person, or arrive in the post.
There are three types of fines you may receive:
1. A penalty charge notice issued by the council.
2. A fixed penalty notice issued by the police usually linked to an offence such a speeding.
3. A parking charge notice issued by a private company.
It is worth remembering that parking charge notices " are not technically fines they are invoices for breaking paring rules.
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