Leading conveyancing search provider SearchFlow is advising all solicitors to start using Decision First’s new Vendor Law Firm Search – a free service for all Lender Exchange users.
This month is also Scam Awareness Month, which was created by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, to highlight the need to take steps to avoid fraud. In using this tool, firms can search for vendors’ law firms and check client account and sort code details, provided by the vendor’s lawyer, to ensure they match the details used by lenders. Vendor Law Firm Search also has ‘multi-access’ availability, meaning users within a law firm can use the facility without being able to access sensitive information about their own firm and staff. It is the only tool of its kind in the industry which is complete free to use.
One of the UK’s leading law firms, Foot Anstey, regularly uses the facility. Legal director, Rebecca Kibby explains, “Managing risk and preventing cybercrime is a top priority for us, so when we learned about the benefits and cost savings of Vendor Law Firm Search, it seemed like the ideal solution. Protecting our clients is paramount; we use a variety of methods to reduce fraud and ensure data accuracy and if lenders themselves are relying on the data, why wouldn’t we?
“We’ve been able to reduce the administrative burden associated with providing information, while giving us a convenient means to validate other firms. The up-to-date data gives us peace of mind knowing we’re taking all the right steps to minimise risk and best of all, it’s totally free.”
John Pickford, managing director of SearchFlow, comments “Scam Awareness Month really showcases the need for solicitors to protect themselves and their clients. And Vendor Law Firm Search is a simple and free way to do just that. Our customers using the tool have consistently given us great feedback, saying that it’s effective, invaluable and supports the running of their legal practices. We’re urging all solicitors to give it a try, especially this month.”
Decision First, a joint venture between SearchFlow’s parent company, Decision Insight Information Group and First Title, was set up to reduce the burden on law firms and lenders, offering tools to support the day-to-day running of firms in the legal and conveyancing industries.
Managing director of Decision First, Justin Parkinson, adds, “Since its launch last month, the 431 law firms that use Vendor Law Firm Search have already conducted over 5,300 searches. The service is available to all of our 4,800 Lender Exchange customers and with it being Scam Awareness month, it is the ideal time for them to start making use of this free facility.”
Firms wishing to access Vendor Law Firm Search can do so by contacting their own firm’s Lender Exchange administrator.