Alerts

Warning: Website and correspondence falsely claiming to for and from a law firm called ‘Wootton Law Attorneys U.K’

30 July 2021

A website is operating, falsely claiming to be a law firm called 'Wootton Law Attorneys U.K'

What is the scam?

The website 'www.woottonlawattorneyuk.co.uk' is operating, falsely claiming to be a law firm called 'Wootton Law Attorneys U.K'.

The website provides a postal address of '1st and 2nd Floor, Saxon Court, Annie Reed Road Beverley HU17 0LF', a telephone number of +44 (752) 062-2937 and an email address of 'info@woottonlawattorneyuk.co.uk'.

The SRA has also been informed that a member of the public has received emails from 'davidwootton@woottonlawattorneyuk.co.uk'.  The emails seen by the SRA relate to a supposedly unclaimed inheritance from someone with the same surname as the recipient of the emails. The emails also included various documents including a 'bank statement', death certificate and copy Will, together with a copy of the passport for someone claiming to be the sender of the emails. 

The emails also gave the same contact details as above as well as a fax number of '44 (872) 023-5393.

The emails misuse the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Wootton Law Attorneys U.K'.

Any business or transaction through 'Wootton Law Attorneys U.K' or the telephone number, fax number, email addresses, or website above are not undertaken by a solicitors' 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 solicitor called David Hugh Wootton.

It is believed that the genuine David Hugh Wootton does not have any connection to the website or 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.