Notice on the Fraudulent Use of the Name of Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
1. Introduction
At Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados, S.L.P. (hereinafter GA_P), we are committed to protecting our clients and contacts against fraud and identity theft attempts. We therefore wish to alert you that certain cybercriminals may be fraudulently using the name of our firm, as well as the identity of some of our professionals, with the aim of misleading and committing fraud. These practices, which involve the unauthorised use of our name, corporate image or reputation, seek to create an appearance of legitimacy in order to request personal information, attempt to obtain payments into bank accounts unrelated to us, or gain access to confidential information.
We consider it a priority to warn against such actions and to provide clear guidelines for identifying legitimate communications and acting safely in the event of any impersonation attempt.
2. Common Forms of Impersonation
Fraud attempts may occur via email, phone calls, text messages, social media or fake websites. Some of the most common forms include:
- Communications that appear to come from the firm, informing of the initiation of legal proceedings or urgent measures, aiming to cause alarm or pressure.
- Messages referring to fictitious inheritances, investments or legal proceedings, using the name of the firm or its professionals.
- Fake job offers requesting personal information or confidential documentation.
- Links to websites that imitate the visual identity of Gómez-Acebo & Pombo to capture data or credentials.
- Communications that appear to come from our professionals and seek to establish contact for illegitimate purposes.
- Emails falsely reporting a change in the firm’s bank account to divert the payment of an invoice.
3. How to Recognise a Legitimate Communication
For your safety, we recommend the following:
- All our emails are sent exclusively from the corporate domain @ga-p.com. Be wary of any message that appears to come from us if it does not meet this condition.
- We never request payments or personal data through unverified channels.
- We do not use free email accounts (such as Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo) nor do we handle professional matters via social media or instant messaging apps.
Be cautious of any message that appears to come from us, or that requests urgent payments, changes to bank details or confidential information without clear justification. If you receive an unexpected communication mentioning our firm or any of our professionals, verify its authenticity before responding or taking any action.
4. What to Do if You Suspect Fraud
If you believe you have received a fraudulent communication in the name of Gómez-Acebo & Pombo:
- Be cautious of any message that appears to come from us requesting urgent payments, changes to bank details or confidential information without clear justification.
- Please note that we do not manage inheritances or charge fees for handling so-called “abandoned” investments or dubious fund claims. If you receive emails or other communications stating otherwise, it is very likely a fraud attempt seeking to exploit the firm’s reputation.
- Do not respond or provide personal or financial information.
- Do not click on links or download attachments.
If you suspect a possible fraud or have been contacted by individuals claiming to be members of the firm without being able to verify their legitimacy, please notify us through your usual contact at the firm or via the email address listed on our website.
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud, we recommend reporting the incident to the relevant authorities.
5. Our Commitment
At Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, we have internal policies and security measures in place to prevent and detect such practices. We appreciate your cooperation and reaffirm our strong commitment to safeguarding the integrity of our communications and protecting the interests of our clients and partners. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a message, please consult us before providing information or making any payments.