Circular No 155/2014
Dated 17 July 2014

To Members of the Malaysian Bar

Practice Alert: Bogus Customer Service Call from Software Company

It has come to Bar Council’s attention that a legal firm recently received a bogus telephone call, which was purportedly made by a reputable software company’s customer service department.

The caller provided details of the legal firm, including the lawyer’s full name, and enquired about the legal firm’s computers and operating systems, such as the versions of software used, serial numbers, and the number of computer units the legal firm owned.

The lawyer was informed that random calls to customers were part of the software company’s standard practice.

The legal firm later called the software company in question, which confirmed that it does not conduct or authorise random calls to customers.  The legal firm subsequently verified that the telephone call did not originate from their regular computer vendor.

What Can You Do?

Some protective measures that Members can implement to reduce security risks include:

(1) Avoid opening or responding to emails from unknown senders, including downloading any attachments or clicking on any links in such emails.  These emails may be “phishing” emails sent for the purpose of obtaining personal or firm information from you.

(2) Be vigilant at all times, even if a caller is able to provide you with specific and accurate information!  Scammers may obtain details about you that are publicly available (eg through a legal directory, firm’s website or social media) to bolster their credibility and phish for further information.

(3) Apart from software companies, suspicious calls may also be made by persons purporting to be from other companies / organisations, such as banks.  Inform the caller that you will call him / her back on the general helpline.  Do not make calls to any number provided by the caller as it may be part of the scam.

(4) Some software companies are aware that there are bogus calls being made in the company’s name, and have issued guidelines on dealing with such calls.  Check the software companies’ websites for information or call them directly to verify any suspicious calls.

Example: Microsoft has issued clear guidelines on dealing with tech support phone scams on its website.

Members of the Bar are reminded to be vigilant and to report suspected or confirmed scams to Bar Council by sending an email to the Professional Indemnity Insurance and Risk Management (“PII”) Department at pirm@malaysianbar.org.my. 

Should you have any enquiries, please contact the officers of the PII Department by telephone at 03-2032 4511 or by email at pirm@malaysianbar.org.my.

Thank you.

Ragunath Kesavan
Chairperson
Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee