Lynda ArtesaniLegal Accountant and Data Migration Specialist at The Proper Trust

Why Attorneys Are Prime Targets for Fraud #lawfirms #legalaccounting #trustaccounting

3 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief dialogue, the speakers discuss the heightened fraud risk faced by law firms, especially when handling large client trust deposits. They stress that attorneys must confirm that incoming funds—such as $25,000 or $50,000—have actually cleared the bank before disbursing them to clients. The conversation highlights that fraudsters can make funds appear legitimate, and premature disbursement can lead to bounced payments and financial loss. A real‑world anecdote is shared where a firm rushed a disbursement, the check bounced, and the firm lost the money, underscoring the importance of waiting for clearance to avoid costly mistakes.

Make sure that you find out from them when they say this $25,000 or $50,000 or whatever is going to clear the bank, actually clear the bank. Because especially nowadays with all the fraud that's going on out there, attorneys are great targets for fraud. And sometimes things aren't the way they look and they can avoid a lot of pain if they don't disburse that money right away, which they want to, they want to take care of their customer. Their client.
One time where they didn't do it the right way and they hurried it, and then the bounce comes and they're out the money, and then they're really— so that's the important thing.