Beware of scams seeking incidental fees
Beware of the scams seeking incidental fees
Another scam is targeting lawyers by trying to get them to pony up cash for incidentals, in violation of Bar rules.
Jason Turchin of Weston recently contacted the News after his firm was approached by a scammer seeking representation.
Turchin said the scam builds on the “perfect” personal injury case: The caller was rendered a paraplegic at just 26 years old while working as a Federal Express employee in Ft. Lauderdale. When unloading a Wal-Mart delivery truck, a part of the delivery truck broke, crushing his legs. The scammer said he was a single father with a young child.
The caller said Wal-Mart offered to settle his case for $750,000, but that he owed $750 to his landlord who wanted the money by the end of the day or the scammer would be evicted.
Turchin said the caller advised that Wal-Mart was meeting with him at 4 p.m., the same day he called the firm, to sign the release, have it notarized, and to give the landlord $750. The remaining funds would take 15-30 days to pay. The caller said he knew the proposed settlement amount was low for his injuries, but did not know what else to do, since he did not want to be out on the street. The scammer also got the “landlord” on the phone to confirm the eviction story.
“He was inquiring if we could help get him the $750, and he would sign up with us to settle the case at a later time,” Turchin said.
“The scam works when an attorney pays the money out of pocket in order to save the case and sign it up, in violation of Florida Bar rules. There never was an accident, and the ‘landlord’ was working with the caller to solicit money from the attorney.”
Turchin said the “FedEx employee’s Wal-Mart truck accident scam” may succeed if there are unscrupulous Florida lawyers willing to break the rules for a chance at a big payday.
“Trust your instincts, training, and experience,” Turchin said. “As the old adage says, ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’”
