Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Hamilton Davies LLP

9 July 2021

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Janice Brett of Hamilton Davies LLP.

What is the scam?

We understand that emails have been sent to members of the public falsely claiming to be from Janice Brett of Hamilton Davies LLP.  These emails were sent using an email address similar to the current email address of a genuine conveyancer (see below).

The emails seen by the SRA appear to have been sent from the email address 'janiceb@hamiltondavies.uk' in an attempt to divert funds for a property transaction.

We have also been notified that a firm of solicitors was also contacted and the email included a suspicious attachment. There is concern this may have contained malware.

Any business or transactions through the email address 'janiceb@hamiltondavies.uk' are not undertaken by a solicitor's practice authorised and regulated by the SRA 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 Hamilton Davies LLP, who employ a genuine Licensed Conveyancer called Janice Brett.  Ms Brett uses the email address 'janiceb@hamiltondavies.co.uk'.

The genuine firm uses email addresses that end with the domain name '@hamiltondavies.co.uk'.

The genuine firm of Hamilton Davies LLP has confirmed that neither the firm or the actual Janice Brett have any genuine and intended connection to the emails 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.