Here are the latest scam alerts as issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
False contracts emailed under name of AF Barker and Co Solicitors
A member of the public has reported receiving an email containing a file titled “Modified Contract” from somebody claiming to be from A F Barker and Co Solicitors. The email may well contain malware.
The email comes from an address “bluenosesteve@gmail.com”. The genuine firm says they do not use this email address nor do they have any connection with these emails.
Emails claiming to be from a conveyancer “Emma Reddy”
The SRA say emails have been circulating relating to a property conveyance from an “Emma Reddy”. The emails come from thomas.hall7@nlacpa.com and “thomas.hall9@nlacpa.com” in the name of “Emma Reddy, QEM Partner/Channel Marketing Manager” and claim to have various conveyancing documents attached. The documents are not genuine and may contain malware.
The SRA say they regulate no such individual.
Emails claiming to be from “Archers Solicitors”
A member of the public has told the SRA they have received an email claiming to be from an “Andrew Spearman” of Archers Solicitors using the email address spearman.archerssolicitors@gmail.com in relation to an unclaimed inheritance.
While AQ Archers Solicitors Ltd is a genuine firm, they employ neither of the two people named Andrew Spearman the SRA regulates and say they have no connection with these emails.
Email claiming to be from “Sue” at Powell & Co
The SRA say they have sent emails claiming to be from “Sue” at Powell & Co which claims to attach a contract document. The emails come from “henryope@gmail.com” and include several correct details of the firm Powell & Co. However the firm say they are used without permission and have no connection with these emails.
Letters claiming to be from Francis Wilks & Jones providing false account details
False bank account details for the firm Francis Wilks & Jones have been sent in relation to a supposed change of payment details. However the genuine firm who go by FWJ Legal Limited say no such change has happened and can be contacted on 020 7841 0390 to confirm its bank account details if required.
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.
