Buying a property involves a lot of moving parts and large sums of money, which is exactly why fraud can slip in unnoticed. Most conveyancing scams don’t feel dramatic or obvious. They usually arrive as normal-looking messages at busy moments, when you’re focused on deadlines.

Fake Solicitor Scams

This scam relies on impersonation. You’re contacted by someone claiming to be a solicitor handling your transaction, using names and branding that look genuine. At some point, you’re asked to transfer funds, often for a deposit or completion.

Email Interception Fraud

Email interception happens when messages are copied or mimicked without you realising. Fraudsters wait until payment is due, then send what looks like a routine update with new bank details.

Seller Identity Fraud

Here, someone pretends to be the legal owner of a property they don’t actually own. Fake documents and a rushed sale are common warning signs.

Clone Firm Fraud

Some scams go further by copying real firms entirely. Fake websites, emails, and letters are designed to look convincing, with differences hidden in tiny details. Many people only realise something’s wrong after speaking directly to a solicitor or a London law firm they trust like forsters.co.uk/.

System and Data Breaches

In some cases, transaction details are accessed through weak security. That information is then used to send highly believable payment requests at just the right moment. The Information Commissioner’s Office has tips on how to keep your IT systems safe.

Taking a moment to verify details can help protect you from conveyancing fraud during a stressful process.