For small firms · Coming soon
The Close Call Report
A short scam brief for your industry, once a month. It shows what scams are hitting firms like yours, what they look like, and what to tell your staff. The goal: help your staff recognize common scams.
Coming soon. Want a heads-up when free 3-month trials open? Check back here.
Who it's for
- Small firms that send money or keep private client data.
- Owners and office managers who want a quick monthly talk with staff about scams.
- Five industries: CPA & tax, insurance, medical and dental, real estate and title, and law.
What you get each month
- Scams of the month: the big scams hitting all kinds of firms, with sources.
- A story from your industry: one scam story with a clear label (real, composite, or "what if").
- A one-page tip sheet to post or share with staff.
- A short staff quiz for a team meeting.
- A 60-second drill to practice one habit.
Sample entry
The small bill that opened the door (Real, reported: based on public records, cited below. Nothing added or dramatized.)
In May 2025, the FBI warned law firms about a gang called Silent Ransom Group. It doesn't break in. It gets your staff to invite it in.
How it worked: 1. A staff member gets an email about a small "subscription fee" from a well-known company. Small charges don't look scary. 2. To cancel, the email says to call a phone number. The "support agent" who answers is the scammer. 3. The agent emails a link to "remote help" software. That gives them control of the computer. 4. They quietly copy client files, then demand money not to leak them. They also call staff to pressure them. 5. As of April 2025, the FBI says the gang has also called staff pretending to be the firm's own IT team. Then a "tech" shows up in person and plugs a storage device into a computer.
Red flags: - A charge you don't know about, with a phone number to "cancel." - Anyone asking you to install remote-access software. - A surprise call or visit from "IT."
What your staff should do this month: - Never call the number in a billing email. Look it up yourself. - Only install software that your real IT person approved in advance. - Check any "IT" visitor's name with your office manager before they touch a computer.
Source: FBI Private Industry Notification 20250523-001, "Silent Ransom Group Targeting Law Firms," May 23, 2025: link
Five industry editions
CPA & Tax
For: Tax offices and accounting firms
Fake "new clients," stolen tax-filing logins, and fake IRS messages.
Insurance
For: Independent agencies and brokers
Fake login resets for insurance company websites, and stolen premium payments.
Medical / Dental
For: Medical and dental practices
Lessons from ransomware cases (when hackers lock your files and demand money), and patient data risks.
Real Estate & Title
For: Title companies, agents and closing attorneys
Fake wire instructions at closing, and email addresses that look almost like the real one.
Law
For: Small law firms
Scammers who switch the bank account for settlement or trust account payments.
Price
The planned price is about $49–$99 a month per firm (not final yet).
Coming soon. Want a heads-up when free 3-month trials open? Check back here.
What it is
The Close Call Report gives you a short monthly look at current scams and fraud in your industry, and what you and your staff should watch for this month. Bad actors are using AI, so things change fast. This report is meant to help you and your staff spot warning signs sooner. See the full disclaimer.
General education only, not legal or security advice. No guarantee. See full disclaimer.