March 7, 2024 - As this week marks National Consumer Protection Week (March 3-March 9), the State Bar of California’s Public Trust Liaison (PTL) Enrique Zuniga advises consumers to take one simple step to avoid becoming a victim of fraud: use the State Bar’s Look Up a Lawyer search feature before signing agreements with anyone offering legal services.  

“With legal scams and frauds becoming more sophisticated with AI, deepfakes, and advanced technology, the first step California consumers seeking legal assistance should always take before hiring anyone remains the same: do a simple attorney search on the State Bar’s website,” said Zuniga. 

The PTL office was launched in 2023. Its duties include ensuring that members of the public, legal consumers, and applicants for admission can meaningfully voice their complaints about State Bar action or inaction and receive assistance in having those concerns addressed.   

Zuniga and the Public Trust Representatives in his office also assist the public by sharing information about steps they can take to avoid legal fraud and scams. 

Beyond scammers engaged in the unauthorized practice of law—such as “notarios” who prey on Spanish-speakers—thieves can use social media and editing technology to set up fake accounts and websites, utilizing licensed attorneys’ names and bar numbers. Thieves can easily create videos or edit legitimate attorney content and change the contact information to entice victims to send them money in advance before cutting off contact.  

Consumers should also be wary of attorneys who approach them in person, by telephone, or by direct messages on social media to offer legal services, as direct solicitation is generally prohibited.  

Consumers can use the search feature to check that the contact information they may have for an attorney matches what is on the State Bar profile. Consumers can also use the attorney search feature to check that a California attorney is in good standing, active, and not suspended or disbarred. No record of a person as an attorney, or a different State Bar number, phone, email, website, or address, are all red flags for possible fraud.    

What can you do to protect yourself from fraudulent actors posing as attorneys?  

• Ask for the attorney’s State Bar number.  
• Look them up on the State Bar website to see if their license is active and whether they have any history of discipline.  
• Check that the address, phone number, email, and website listed in correspondence matches what appears on the attorney’s profile on the State Bar website.  
• Call the phone number listed on the attorney’s State Bar profile to make sure you are dealing with the correct attorney.  
• Make sure to get your agreement in writing, as well as receipts for payments you make.  
• Be wary if someone requires cash payments.  
• Keep a paper trail. If you don't have a bank account, use another monetary option, like a money order or cashier's check, but be aware that you cannot stop payment on a cashier’s check or money order.  
• If you have already made a payment, a California attorney must provide you with an accounting of your bills. Anyone who refuses or neglects to do this is suspect.  
• If you believe you have been defrauded by someone posing as an attorney, you may also want to file a complaint with local law enforcement authorities, or with federal authorities, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, or Federal Trade Commission.  

If you are having problems with a licensed attorney, who, for example, is not responding to your inquiries, missing court deadlines, not providing you an accounting of your case, or not providing funds won in court in a timely manner, among other potential violations, you may fill out a complaint form, which is available in multiple languages. You may also call the State Bar at 1-800-843-9053 for assistance.

The State Bar website provides free information for consumers on finding legal help and working with attorneys. Legal help pamphlets are available in seven languages.   

The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.
Source: State Bar of CA.