Scam Alert Round up 7th March

Scam Alert Round up 7th March

Here are the most recent scam alerts issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Email claiming to be from “The Thomas Higgins Partnership Solicitors”

Emails over an outstanding invoice in the name of “The Thomas Higgins Partnership Solicitors” have been reported to the SRA. The emails come from either “Brian Kenny” or “Chris Eastlea” using the email addresses bocoudi301685xjwc@163.com and diya@doctorscompanysd.com respectively. The emails also list an address in Wallasey, Merseyside.

Whilst The Thomas Higgins Partnership Solicitors is a genuine firm based at Lloyds Chambers, 19-21 Seaview Road, Wallasey, CH45 4TH, the SRA do not regulate any individuals named Brian Kenny or Chris Eastlea. The firm itself say they are not connected with the emails in question.

Unsolicited phone calls from “Infolegal”

Members of the public have reported receiving unsolicited calls from someone claiming to be from a firm of solicitors named “Infolegal” in relation to a personal injury matter. They have been using using the telephone number: 01603 712 220; email address: “enq@infolegal.org.uk”; website: “www.infolegal.org.uk” and the address: Unit 7 Escourt House, Escourt Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 4JQ, United Kingdom.

The SRA previously regulated a firm named Infolegal in Great Yarmouth that closed in 2009. The Birmingham based educational establishment of the same name say they have no involvement.

Emails claiming to be from Shearman and Sterling LLP

Members of the public have been receiving emails claiming to be from a “Barr. Page D. Gregor” at Shearman and Sterling LLP regarding an investment inviting them to send information in exchange for further documents.

The emails from “pag_gregor@yahoo.co.uk” list the phone number +44 703 792 3554 together with the genuine firm’s website, shearman.com.

While he firm is genuine, the SRA do not regulate any individual named Page D. Gregor. The firm in question also deny any connection with the emails themselves.

What to do

When a firm’s or individual’s identity has been copied or cloned, due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firms or individuals, 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 may be required in other circumstances.

Josh Morris

Josh is the Journalist for the Today's Group and writes many of the articles for Today's Conveyancer. He graduated with a degree in Physics from Cardiff University in 2009 before training as a journalist. He has previously written for The Times, The Mirror and The Daily Express.

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