Scam alerts round-up
Overview of recent scam activity
Our latest round up highlights active high risk scams targeting both members of the public and solicitors.
We want to help people make well-informed choices about using legal services. As well as supporting solicitors to help keep their firm safe.
In the past three months from 1 February 2023 to 28 April 2023 we have published 80 scam alerts.
Below is a summary of the different appraoches that have been used in these scams.
Inheritance entitlement to money (8)
- Emails from 'Saunders & Associates LLP' or 'Saunders & Associates Law Office'
- Correspondence misusing the name of ABK Solicitors Limited
- Emails misusing the name of John Lewis of Law Anglo T Legal Chambers
Emails/phishing/malware (30)
- Email misusing the name of Birnberg Peirce Ltd
- Emails misusing the name of Ackroyd Legal (London) LLP
- Correspondence falsely claiming to be from 'Lombards Solicitors'
Bogus firms (20)
- 'UK Immigration Lawyers'/'Work Permit UK Visa Bureau Unit' claiming to be a law firm
- Website 'George Margo & Co LLP' claiming to be solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA
- Emails from 'PDM Legal' claiming to be a law firm | Solicitors Regulation Authority
Other (eg. documents, telephone calls and websites) (22)
- Telephone calls from 'Smith Law Associates' misusing the name of Bradley Mark Smith
- Website misusing the name of Noble Harbour Solicitors
- Messages falsely claiming to be from 'Stephanie Caird' of Mills & Reeve LLP
What you should do
Members of the public
- Check that any unexpected correspondence received is genuine - particularly if it asks you to provide personal information, funds or informs you of new bank details - by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means.
- You can Contact us to find out if a solicitor or law firm is regulated and authorised by the SRA.
- You may also need to verify details independently, such as checking public records (eg. telephone directories and company records) in some circumstances.
Solicitors and law firms
Useful resources to help keep your firm safe:
Last updated: May 2023 | Next update due: August 2023