Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name of 'Bark & Co' and 'Bark & Co Solicitors Limited'

7 May 2024

Emails have been sent requesting payment for an Anti-Terrorism Certificate to release funds held with 'Global Bank'.

What is the scam?

The SRA understands that emails have been sent requesting payment from the recipient for an Anti-Terrorism Certificate. The Anti-Terrorism Certificate is said to be needed so that 'Global Bank' will be able to release funds held in an account which have been received from an inheritance.

The emails claim to have been sent from a Mr Charles Smith and a Mr Hon Smith and have been sent from the domain BarkAndCoSolicitors@email.com.

Any business or transactions through the above domain '@email.com', are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates genuine firms called Bark & Co (SRA ID 260885) and Bark & Co Solicitors Limited (SRA ID 633939)

A representative of these firms has confirmed that the genuine email domains for these firms are '@Barkco.com' and '@barkcoltd.com'.

What should I do?

If you receive an email from the domain '@email.com' please be aware the email has not been sent from either Bark & Co or Bark & Co Solicitors Limited.

Should you receive a similar email requesting payment for an Anti-Terorism Certificate, 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.