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A firm was acting on behalf of an client who was purchasing property and when the sale collapsed there was a request by email for a return of monies. However, the bank account details in the email differed from what was previously sent and the solicitor had the monies transferred to a fraudulent account without verifying those details. The bank contacted the solicitor as a flag had been raised by the receiving bank and, with swift action by the Gardaí, banks and the solicitor, the account was frozen. 

Members of the profession are advised not to rely on bank account details received in an email or send account details by email. However, in cases where it is necessary to use email, it is imperative that the individual transferring the money verifies the account details through an alternative communication method such as phone. In doing so, practitioners should use phone numbers from the Law Directory, phone book, etc., and not the phone number contained within the email.