“Conveyancing clients are increasingly being targeted with sophisticated scams because fraudsters know large amounts of money change hands during property transactions.”
– Louise Stephens Pantoja – Head of Operations at LPL
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial transactions most people will ever make. With such high sums involved, residential conveyancing is a prime target for fraudsters – and increasingly, criminals are turning to the digital space to carry out their attacks. Known as conveyancing cybercrime, this type of fraud is becoming more sophisticated and more common, putting both buyers and sellers at risk.
At LPL, we take your security seriously. As a leading residential conveyancing firm operating across England and Wales, we work hard to protect our clients from the growing threat of conveyancing cybercrime. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and ensure your property transaction goes smoothly.
What is Conveyancing Cybercrime?
Conveyancing cybercrime refers to fraudulent activity carried out online during the process of buying or selling property. Criminals target buyers, sellers, and even estate agents in an attempt to intercept or reroute large payments, particularly the funds transferred on completion day.
The most common form involves email interception. Fraudsters monitor or spoof email conversations between clients and professionals involved in the transaction. Just before the funds are due to be transferred, the fraudster sends a fake but convincing email, asking the client to send the money to a different bank account.
Once the money is sent, it is often moved quickly through a network of accounts, making it difficult to trace or recover.
Real-Life Examples of Residential Conveyancing Cybercrime
Unfortunately, these scams are no longer rare. Here are two examples that highlight how these criminals operate:
- Case 1: Fake Bank Details Sent to First-Time Buyers
A couple buying their first home received an email from what appeared to be their solicitor. It included bank details for the deposit transfer. The email was convincing, even using the correct logos and language. They transferred £50,000, only to later discover it went to a criminal’s account. The fraudster had spoofed the solicitor’s email address and timed the message to coincide with the expected payment. - Case 2: Scam Via Compromised Estate Agent Email
In another situation, a fraudster accessed an estate agent’s email system and sent fraudulent instructions to a seller. Posing as the buyer’s solicitor, the criminal requested the seller’s bank details for the return of a holding deposit. Thinking it was a legitimate request, the seller provided the details, and later found that their account had been drained using the stolen personal information.
These cases show that conveyancing cybercrime can affect multiple parts of the property chain, not just the solicitors, but also buyers, sellers, and agents.
How LPL Protects You from Conveyancing Cybercrime
At LPL, we take a proactive and rigorous approach to digital security. We hold the Cyber Essentials certification. A UK government-backed scheme that demonstrates our commitment to protecting against the most common cyber threats. Our firm also uses a secure, cloud-based case management system with two-factor authentication, which adds a vital extra layer of protection to all client communications and case data.
Here are the key measures we have in place to prevent conveyancing cybercrime:
- Bank details only ever sent securely – We do not send or accept bank details via email. We confirm bank information through secure client portals or by phone and we will never change our details during a transaction.
- Two-step verification – All major financial instructions must be verified via multiple channels before they are processed.
- Cyber Essentials certification – This independently verified accreditation ensures our systems meet high cybersecurity standards, giving you peace of mind.
- Staff training – All LPL team members receive regular training on emerging threats, phishing detection and secure communication protocols.
- Encrypted email systems – We use a secure email platform with automatic encryption to prevent data interception or unauthorised access.
- Cloud-based case management – Our systems are updated continuously to include the latest in cyber protection and digital best practices.
- Client education – We empower our clients with knowledge, offering clear guidance on how to detect suspicious messages and avoid fraud traps.
How You Can Protect Yourself
There are a number of simple but effective steps you can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to conveyancing cybercrime:
- Always verify bank details by calling your solicitor using a known and trusted phone number.
- Be suspicious of last-minute changes to bank instructions — especially if they arrive by email.
- Use strong passwords for your email and enable two-factor authentication.
- Watch for red flags, such as poor spelling or unusual language in emails, even if they appear to come from someone you trust.
- Confirm identities before acting on any request related to payments or personal information.
Remember, no legitimate conveyancing solicitor will pressure you to act immediately or change bank details at the last minute without proper confirmation.
Staying One Step Ahead
As criminals become more sophisticated, the legal industry must adapt. At LPL, we are committed to staying one step ahead of conveyancing cybercrime by investing in the latest technology and security measures, and by ensuring our clients are always informed.
We believe education is a powerful defence. That’s why we encourage every client to learn more about cyber risks and how to avoid them. For more information, including detailed guidance on how we protect your transaction, visit our Cybercrime and Conveyancing Fraud page.
Summary
No one wants their dream home to turn into a nightmare. By staying alert, asking questions and working with a trusted conveyancing firm like LPL, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to conveyancing cybercrime.
If you’re currently buying or selling a property, or simply want advice on how to keep your transaction secure, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team. Together, we can protect what matters most.
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