To celebrate the successful integration with Lawyer Checker, OneSearch Direct have announced they are offering five free Lawyer Checker Account and Entity Screen (AES) searches to their customers. The offer, eligible until 30 September, will be made available to those who have yet to order a Lawyer Checker report via OneSearch Direct.
To address the increasing threat of vendor fraud, OneSearch Direct, the largest local authority data search company in the UK, are reaffirming their longstanding commitment to compliance. Last month, they created an automated facility to access Lawyer Checker results. This means conveyancing professionals are now able to perform checks at the click of a button through the OneSearch platform, allowing for enhanced risk mitigation.
By offering five free Lawyer Checker searches, OneSearch Direct are giving customers the opportunity to experience the full benefits of Lawyer Checker, and further protect themselves against bogus firms.
The SRA’s latest Risk Outlook[i] explains how victims of bogus law firms do not have access to the Compensation Fund, nor are they covered by the normal regulatory protections that apply when dealing with an SRA regulated firm. Nearly half of all reported bogus lawyers in 2014 were related to the identity theft of genuine firms. A 101% increase in these reports, on 2012, signifies this alarming rise in vendor fraud.
Lidia Quinlan, channel manager at OneSearch Direct, comments:
“We’re delighted to have received such a positive response after the Lawyer Checker integration. It is testament to how proactive solicitors are becoming, to ensure the legitimacy of a vendor conveyancer. It’s certainly something my own clients have voiced concerns over, and with good reason: they want to make sure their own clients have a safe and smooth transaction. The last thing any firm wants is negligence claims or reputation damage.
“A quick glance at the SRA scam alert search will highlight the magnitude of vendor fraud. Every day, there are reports of law firms’ names being misused for fraudulent purposes. By using a Lawyer Checker AES search, you can quickly identify if there is a track record of previous use associated with an account, or whether it presents a potential risk. With the PI season in full swing, everyone is looking to lower their premiums, and we always recommend taking pre-emptive steps to reduce the risk of PI increases. We believe using Lawyer Checker is a worthwhile exercise for any solicitor, in practising due diligence.”
Stephen Vickers, operations manager, Lawyer Checker explains:
“Due diligence requires all solicitors and conveyancers to check the firm that they are sending monies to. The SRA’s most recent Risk Outlook yet again proves that checking the roll of solicitors is no longer enough.
Lawyer Checker offers peace of mind to both the legal practitioner and the client, whether borrower or lender. Its growth over 2014 and into 2015 demonstrates that more and more law firms are looking to reduce the uncertainty in this uncertain era for conveyancers and purchasers alike. “
If you haven’t yet ordered a Lawyer Checker report via OneSearch Direct, you can order FIVE free Lawyer Checker searches between now and 30 September 2015.
For more information call OneSearch Direct on 0800 052 0117, or email lquinlan@onesearchdirect.co.uk.
[i] http://www.sra.org.uk/risk/outlook/risk-outlook-2015-2016.page
