How to check it’s really us
Criminals impersonate legal firms — copying websites, letters and emails — to get documents or money. Five minutes of checking prevents most of it.
The one rule that matters most
How we contact you
- —Our only email address is win@talklegal.net, and our only website is talklegal.net. Anything else is not us — however convincing it looks.
- —We may ring from 0161 111 111 during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- —We don’t conduct a matter by WhatsApp, Telegram or social media message, and we won’t ask you to move there.
- —We will never ask for your bank password, a one-time code, or remote access to your computer.
- —We won’t ask you to pay by cryptocurrency, gift card, or to a personal account in someone’s name.
- —We won’t demand immediate payment by email with a deadline of hours.
If someone contacts you out of the blue about a claim, refund, inheritance or “court matter” you’ve never discussed with us, treat it as suspicious. We don’t acquire clients that way.
What a genuine message from us looks like
- —It comes from win@talklegal.net, and replies go to the same place.
- —It quotes your matter, the parties and the work we’ve actually discussed.
- —It attaches nothing you didn’t expect, and never an executable file or a link to “verify your account”.
- —Fees match the written terms you agreed. We don’t slip new charges into an email.
- —It doesn’t pressure you to keep quiet, or ask you to deal only with someone whose details you can’t check.
If something feels wrong, do this
- 1
Stop and don’t reply
Don’t reply, don’t click the links, don’t open attachments and don’t send documents or money. A reply tells the sender the address is live.
- 2
Call us on a number you trust
0161 111 111 — from this website, not from the email or letter you’re unsure about. Ask us whether we sent it. If we didn’t, we’d much rather hear about it.
- 3
Forward it to us
Send the suspicious email to win@talklegal.net, then delete it. If you can, include the full message headers.
- 4
Report it
Report fraud to Report Fraud — the national reporting service run by City of London Police — on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk. Suspicious emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk. If a fake website is copying ours, tell us so we can act.
If you’ve already sent money or documents
- —Ring your bank immediately, using the number on your card — not one in any message you’ve received. Ask them to recall the payment and to flag the account.
- —Change any password you entered on a link you now think was fake, and turn on two-step verification where you can.
- —Tell us straight away, so we can warn other clients and check whether your matter or documents are affected.
- —Report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk. Keep the messages, screenshots and payment references — you’ll need them.
- —If identity documents have gone astray, consider notifying Cifas or the relevant issuer. We can explain what’s involved.
People who are defrauded often feel embarrassed and delay telling anyone. Please don’t — the first hours matter most for recovering money, and being caught out is not a sign of stupidity.
How we protect your matter
- —We don’t hold client money, so we’ll never ask you to send funds to us to hold on your behalf.
- —Court and Tribunal fees are paid to the court or Tribunal directly wherever possible, not to us.
- —We don’t send payment details unless you have agreed our written terms for a matter.
- —We’ll tell you in writing, and separately, if our bank details ever do change — and we’ll expect you to ring and check.
Read our Terms & Conditions for how fees and payments work, and our privacy notice for how we handle your information.
Not sure whether a message is genuine?
Ring us before you act on it. A short call is always cheaper than a lost payment.
Or email us at win@talklegal.net