Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Legal Protection Group Limited

7 December 2021

An email has been sent to a member of the public claiming to be from 'Andew Westall' of Legal Protection Group Limited

What is the scam?

A member of the public has received an email in relation to an alleged bank transfer for the sum of €4500 for tax purposes.  The document is said to be authorised by 'Andew Westall' of Legal Protection Group Limited (see below) by way of a stamp and signature.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate any solicitors called 'Andew Westall'.

Any business or transaction through ‘Andew Westall’, is not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

There is a genuine company called Legal Protection Group Limited.  It is a commercial company that is not regulated by the SRA, but it employs several solicitors who are regulated by the SRA. 

The genuine company called Legal Protection Group Limited employs an individual called Andrew Westall as its Chief Operating Officer

The genuine company of Legal Protection Group Limited has confirmed that neither the company nor the genuine Andrew Westall has any genuine or intended connection to the email 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.