Now that many lawyers are working from home be aware of email scams like this one:
My Name is Micheal Crowe,I am requesting to know if you can help to enforce a loan agreement. I assisted a business associate/friend Mr.James Smith(who lives in your state and had the agreement in accordance with the laws of the same)a loan and he has defaulted to make payment at the stipulated time.I want to take legal action to see that the money is repaid back to me.Please let me know if you can be of assistance to me or make a referral.
There are several red flags in this email. First, the debtor has a common name “Mr.James Smith.” Second, he states that the debtor “who lives in your state and had the agreement in accordance with the laws of the same.” Third, note that the debtor “has defaulted to make payment at the stipulated time.” This is clearly someone who is not familiar with the English language.
Comment: if you have a question about a potential scam, talk to a colleague or the ARDC or an ethics attorney.
Ed Clinton, Jr.
Legal Ethics Lawyer 