Fraud Prevention Policy

Purpose

Legal professionals and their clients are common targets for fraud. This policy explains how NEO guards against it, and what clients can do to protect themselves.

Frauds we watch for

• Changed payment instructions: an email that appears to come from us, or from the other side, giving new bank details.
• Counterfeit cheques and overpayments: a "client" who pays with a cheque and asks for part of it back before it clears.
• Impersonation: someone pretending to be a client, a representative, a court or a government body.
• Phishing: messages that try to get passwords or personal information.

Our policy

1. We verify identity under our Client Identification and Verification Policy.
2. We never change payment instructions by email or text alone. Any change is confirmed by phone on a number already known to us.
3. We don't pay out money in trust until a deposit has fully cleared, and we are cautious about overpayments and requests for quick refunds.
4. We are alert to warning signs, such as urgency, unusual payment requests, or clients who want to avoid meeting or identification.
5. We don't act where we suspect we are being used to assist fraud or money laundering, and we report as the law and the Law Society's rules require.
6. Staff training: everyone at the firm learns the warning signs and what to do.

Protect yourself

• Before sending money in response to a request that seems to come from us, call us on a number you already have.
• We will never ask for your password.
• If something feels wrong, contact us before acting.

Review

This policy is reviewed at least once a year, and whenever the Law Society's By-Laws or rules change. The principal approves every change.

Questions

Email info@neolegalservices.com, call 647-200-3526 or toll-free 888-519-2435, or write to us at Unit 236, 1099 Kingston Road, Pickering, Ontario L1V 1B5.