Self‑Represented Litigants Targeted by Fake AI Lawyers
Scammers are creating entire “law firms” populated by AI‑generated attorneys to extort fees and threaten unrepresented individuals with bogus legal actions. One such operation, chronicled by Futurism, involved an AI‑generated “Commonwealth Legal” falsely demanding backlink removal under copyright law Futurism. These schemes exploit non‑lawyers’ unfamiliarity with professional credentials and due‑diligence protocols.
Protecting Against AI‑Driven Fraud
To mitigate these threats, legal organizations should:
- Implement Code‑Word Protocols: Require rotating secret phrases for all fund transfers and confidential disclosures, especially in telephonic or video communications LawTech Tips.
- Train Staff on Deepfake Detection: Educate staff on inconsistencies in video frame rates, audio artifacts, and linguistic oddities; partner with digital forensics experts when in doubt ABA Journal.
- Verify Unsolicited Legal Communications: Always confirm the identity and credentials of individuals claiming to represent law firms via independent contact channels.
