Alerts

Warning: Email correspondence from 'Helen Crow' and Ashtons Legal

23 June 2021

An email has been sent from 'Helen Crow' in respect of a property purchase.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a member of the public has received an email falsely claiming to be from 'Helen Crow' at Ashtons Legal asking for a deposit in respect of a property purchase.

The email seen by the SRA was sent from 'davidmcmnn@googlemail.com'. The email signature contained the address 'Chequers House, 77-81 Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8E', telephone number '01223 363111' and fax number '01223 323370'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate an individual called 'Helen Crow".

Any business or transactions through "Helen Crow", including the contact details set out above, are not carried out by a solicitor's practice or an individual authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

Ashtons Legal is a genuine law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA. Ashtons Legal’s Cambridge office is located at Chequers House, 77-81 Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8EU, with the contact telephone number of 01223 363111 and fax number 01223 323370.

The genuine firm have confirmed that it has no connection to the email referred to above.

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.