Warning: Fraudulent emails and messages

We are currently aware of an increasing number of fraudulent emails and messages being circulated internationally in the name of CMS and CMS Legal Services.

The unknown perpetrators use domains that are designed to look like CMS domains but are not associated with CMS. They falsely claim to be CMS lawyers or representatives and often use the names, email signatures and contact details of CMS lawyers or representatives to make their communications appear legitimate.

• The current wave of fraudulent mails make reference to unpaid invoices and demand immediate payment. There is often a hyperlink which the sender claims is to the invoice or other documentation.
• Another type of fraudulent mail promotes purported purchasing opportunities for conspicuously low‑priced assets that are claimed to originate from insolvency estates. Examples include luxury cars, high‑value machinery and also bulk business goods such as power tools. CMS lawyers or representatives do not engage in the trading of assets from insolvency estates and will not contact you with such offers.
• In some cases, to create a sense of urgency, the fraudsters may attempt to exert pressure through telephone calls under various assumed identities and by sending draft contracts or other documents. 

Please do not respond to any such communications and do not transfer any money under any circumstances. If you receive a suspicious message of this kind, we strongly recommend reporting it to the relevant local authorities.

If you are unsure and want to check whether a communication claiming to be from CMS is legitimate, do not use any telephone numbers, email addresses or links included in the message. Instead, please report the suspected phishing or fraud attempt through our dedicated reporting channel (Contact us; select: Fraud & Scam Reporting) and include any details that could help us verify and investigate the case.