Here are the most recent scam alerts issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Website for false legal firm “owenandharvey.com”
A website has been set up claiming to be “Owen & Harvey Solicitors” at owenandharvey.com. The site uses the names, images and details of genuine solicitors, such as Burges Salmon LLP. The firm is not regulated by the SRA and Burges Salmon say they have no connection with the website.
A member of the public has also reported receiving emails from a “Robert Alan Barr” of Burges Salmon LLP from “alan.barr@brodles.com”. While Burges Salmon do employ a Robert Alan Barr, the SRA say they do not regulate any firm by the name of Brodles. The Law Society of Scotland do regulate a firm “Brodies LLP” although similarly that firm denies any connection with these emails.
Emails from firm “Insurance Co-ordinator” falsely claiming to be SRA regulated
The SRA say they have seen emails sent to members of the public, falsely claiming to be from a regulated firm “Insurance Co-ordinator”. The email was sent from “Sam Peterson” of “Victorious Ltd” using the email address “nahl@consultant.com”. The email also states that “Insurance Co-ordinator” is the claims department for “Road Traffic Accident Management”, which claims to be regulated and authorised by the SRA under SRA Number:524016.
The emails also name “SBR Solicitors”, supposedly based at Brunswick Business Park, Atlantic Way, Dempster Building, Liverpool as being one of the Solicitors which is underwritten by Road Traffic Accident Management. The address is home to Slater Gordon Solutions Legal Limited who say they are unconnected with these emails.
The SRA number is also real, but the real firm say they are not related to the email contact.
Warning over “Maliks Law Chambers” and malikslawchambers.com
A website, malikslawchambers.com, has cloned several parts of a genuine firm’s website as well as providing details of a genuine firm, Kinsley Napley LLP. It lists the address Pier Head, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom, the telephone number +447452015231 and email addresses info@malikschambers.com and inquiry@malikschambers.com.
The firm whose details have been cloned and the genuine firm Kingsley Napley LLP say they have no connection with “Maliks Law Chambers”.
Letters misusing the name of Alfred Newton Solicitors
Members of the public have reported letters regarding the unclaimed inheritance of a Canadian using the name of Alfred Newton Solicitors. The letters come from an Anthony Penman list telephone number + (44) 1625 324023, fax + (44) 1625 324052 and email anthony@alfrednewtons.com.
The letter contains the genuine details of the British firm Alfred Newton “alfednewton.com” however the firm and their partner Anthony Penman say they have no connection with such letters.
Emails using the name “Andew Lidbetter” of “Herbert Smith LLP”
Emails relating an unclaimed “will testament” from an Andrew Lidbetter have been sent from a “hsmith197600@gmail.com”. Whilst the firm and person are real, and the emails list their real details, the email address itself is not. The firm say they are not connected with these emails.
Emails and website misusing the details of “PCB Litigation LLP”
A website has been set up using the address pcb-litigation.com regarding an unclaimed inheritance, misusing the details of genuine firm PCB Litigation (pcblitigation.com). It lists an email address for “philipsohn@pcb-litigation.com” and a telephone number +44 2033 189 665.
The genuine Steven Philipsohn and PCB Litigation LLP say they have no connection with these emails.
Emails misusing the name of Chris Adams of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
Emails falsely claiming to be from Chris Adams of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP relating to an investment have been seen by the SRA. The emails come from chriadas@outlook.com and list telephone + 44 7937 450 259; address: 3 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6HE and an attached agreement relating to funds.
While the firm is genuine and does employ a Christopher Adams, they say they are not connected with these emails
Emails claiming to be from John Cahill of Stewart Law LLP
A member of the public says they have received an email regarding an unclaimed inheritance from a John Cahill at Stewart’s Law LLP. The emails come from stewartsllp_law@outlook.com and list several details of the genuine firm Stewarts Law. However neither Stewarts Law nor their genuine employee John Cahill say they have no connection with these emails.
Letters claiming to be from “Tallon Sculthorpe Solicitor”
A member of the public has reported receiving a letter claiming to be from a “Tallon Sculthorpe Solicitor” (who are not a genuine firm regulated by the SRA) regarding an alleged claim for a defective product, inviting the recipient to send a replacement to 605 Cathcart Road, Glasgow, G42 8AD. The letters use the logo of a genuine firm. However that firm say they are unconnected with the letters.
What to do
The SRA say when a firm’s or individual’s identity has been copied exactly (or cloned), due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm(s) or individual(s), or information of a similar nature to that described, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means.
You can contact the SRA to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual’s or firm’s practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.
