September 23, 2026
Be Aware of Scam Involving the Use of Spoofed Phone Numbers to Impersonate Lawyers
The Virginia State Bar has been informed of a sophisticated scam in which criminals are impersonating legitimate lawyers and law firms to obtain personal information or extort money from members of the public.
Importantly, scammers are using Caller ID spoofing technology to make their calls appear to originate from the actual telephone number of a lawyer or law firm. Callers may falsely claim that an individual owes a debt and demand immediate payment, sometimes threatening arrest or other legal action.
Lawyers and law firms should be alert to the possibility that their names and telephone numbers are being used in these scams. If you become aware that your identity or firm information has been impersonated, consider notifying affected individuals and reporting the activity to law enforcement.
Members of the public should be cautious about providing personal or financial information in response to unsolicited calls.
Virginians can report scams to the state government by filing a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) or by calling the OAG’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-552-9963 (if calling from Virginia) or at 804-786-2042 (if calling from the Richmond area or from outside Virginia). Additionally, scams can be reported to the federal government through the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) online form or by calling the FTC at 1-877-382-4357.