Member Advisory: Email Scams Targeting Bar Association Members

12/8/2016

The State Bar of Michigan has received information about a recent email scam targeting attorneys around the country. The scam email indicates that a disciplinary complaint has been filed against the recipient attorney and directs the attorney to click a link to review the complaint. If you receive an email like this seeming to come from the State Bar of Michigan, the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, or the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, delete it immediately. Do not open the email and do not click on any links in the email. An email of this kind is never valid; the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission serves grievance complaints by physical mail only, and the State Bar of Michigan does not handle any disciplinary matters.

These scam emails are an attempt by hackers to obtain sensitive information from bar association members. These emails often contain dangerous "ransomware" links. If you click on the link, the hackers are then able to seize your data and electronically lock it up. You are then asked to pay a ransom to obtain a key to unlock the data.

The State Bar does not have information that this recent email scam has affected its members, but there was a similar email scam threat to our members in June.

If you think your email account has been compromised, change your password immediately.