Alerts

Warning: Emails from 'Hodge Solicitors' misusing an address in Yatton of John Hodge Solicitors

5 August 2021

Emails purporting to be from 'Hodge Solicitors' falsely misusing a branch office address of John Hodge Solicitors. There is also a connected website.

What is the scam?

We understand that emails have been sent to members of the public, purporting to be from 'Hodge Solicitors' and claiming to be based in the village of Yatton, near Bristol. The email seen by the SRA was sent from the email address hodgesolicitors@mail.co.uk and offers immigration services to the recipient. The email also misuses a genuine branch office address of a genuine firm (see below), except it provides a slightly amended and erroneous postcode of 'BS4 9HJ'

The website www.hodgelegaladvisors.com is also operating. The website claims to be the website for Hodge Legal Advisor Ltd, but to obtain more information it links to the same email address of hodgesolicitors@mail.co.uk.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate either 'Hodge Solicitors' or Hodge Legal Advisor Ltd.

Any business or transaction through the email address or website referred to above are not undertaken by a solicitor’s practice or by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called John Hodge Solicitors. The genuine firm uses email addresses that end with the domain name @johnhodge.co.uk. One of the firm’s genuine branch offices is at 50 High Street, Yatton, Bristol BS49 4HJ. The genuine firm of John Hodge Solicitors has confirmed it has no connection to the emails or website referred to in the above alert.

We understand that other genuine firms in other jurisdictions, e.g. Scotland, may trade using the name Hodge Solicitors. Any such genuine firm is not believed to have any connection to the matters referred to in the above alert.

What should I do?

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.