Scams and Fraudulent Communications

Criminals sometimes pose as KMT, or claim to be connected with KMT, in order to carry out scams or frauds. This page explains what to look out for, how we will and will not contact you about money, and what to do if you're unsure.

What to look out for

Fraudulent communications may arrive by email, phone, text or messaging apps, and often include one or more of the following:

• a claim that legal action has been started against you, or that you're required to appear in court;
• notice of an inheritance, unclaimed funds, or a similar unexpected windfall;
• impersonation of a KMT lawyer or member of staff requesting urgent payment of fees or money "on account";
• a supposed change to our bank details, often attached to a plausible-sounding reason;
• an invoice or attachment that looks legitimate but contains malware or a malicious link;
• pressure to act quickly, keep the matter confidential, or avoid contacting the firm directly to verify.

These messages are designed to build trust before asking you to send money or personal information, so an initial email may seem entirely innocuous.

Warning signs

• Look-alike domains. Our genuine emails come only from firstname.lastname@kmtlaw.co.uk. Scammers often register similar-looking domains, using extra letters or different extensions, to trick the eye. Always check the full sender address, not just the display name.
• Personal or webmail accounts. KMT lawyers will never conduct business from a Gmail, Outlook.com, or other personal email address.
• Unusual urgency. Be wary of any message pressuring an immediate transfer, especially one framed as time-critical or confidential.

How we will and will not contact you about money

We will never notify you of a change to our bank details by email, text, or voicemail alone. Any change of this kind will always be confirmed in writing on headed paper, and we will always give you the opportunity to verify it by phone before you act on it.

If you receive any communication about a change of bank details, or an unexpected request for payment, do not act on it until you've verified it. Call the KMT office landline at 0207 292 2060. Please do not use a number provided in the suspicious email or message itself, as this may simply connect you back to the scammer.

If something looks wrong

If you're ever unsure whether a communication genuinely came from us, or you believe someone is using KMT's name to attempt a scam, please contact us at Chantal.Gamon@kmtlaw.co.uk or call 0207 292 2060. We take all reports seriously and will investigate.

Unfortunately, if funds have already been sent to a fraudulent account, we are not usually able to recover them ourselves. We do encourage you to report the matter promptly to Action Fraud (or the equivalent body in your jurisdiction) as well as to us, as fast reporting gives the best chance of recovery.

Further general guidance on scams targeting law firms is available from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.