Lawyers targeted in scam

New Zealand lawyers are being targeted in a scam trying to get their personal information, which then could be used to steal money or infiltrate computer networks, says the Law Society.

The Law Society is warning lawyers and firms to be careful about providing information in calls from someone "pretending to be a recruitment agent".

A New Zealand law firm received calls claiming to be from a foreign legal recruitment company but investigations have indicated this is a scam, the society said.

The calls were from someone called Anne Brown at "Snowden Executive Search", which is the name of a firm given during calls in other countries by people pretending to be recruiters and trying to get details.

Lawyers contacted in New Zealand were told their names had been put forward for a senior role for an unnamed client.

They were told that Brown's supervisor would call them later and asked for a phone number and an email address.

The Law Society said this was likely a scam and "attempted social engineering" trying to get its targets to reveal personal or confidential information.

"Such information can be used to infiltrate computer networks or to steal money from the individual concerned," the Law Society said.

"The name 'Anne Brown' is among a number used in a scam where people are offered the possibility of employment in a foreign location and are then asked to complete an "online screening" process, including a credit check. The information divulged for this can then be used for criminal purposes," the Law Society said.