Solicitors in England and Wales are to be issued with warning cards to help prevent them becoming involved in fraudulent activity.

The cards highlight four risk areas - property fraud, undertakings, fraudulent financial affairs and money laundering. They will be issued to 11,000 firms by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

In 2006, the SRA received 215 reports of mortgage fraud, rising to 350 in 2008. In the four years to April 2009, the SRA's forensic investigation unit has investigated more than 100 firms, where the major findings were of rule breaches in relation to mortgages and property.

Other examples of fraud include misleading publicity and 'traditional' financial misconduct, such as failure to account.

SRA chief executive Antony Townsend said: 'Even the most conscientious of solicitors may become unwittingly involved in supporting fraudulent activity if they do not take care. The cards should help solicitors identify signs of improper activity and take the necessary action.'

The warning cards are also available at http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors