Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Inghams Solicitors
24 June 2021
Correspondence has been sent misusing the name of Helen Jackson of Inghams Solicitors.
What is the scam?
We understand that emails have been sent to members of the public claiming to be from 'Helen Jackson' of Inghams Solicitors. (see below in relation to the genuine firm and solicitor).
The SRA understands that a third party has sent emails using an address similar to the current genuine email address of a genuine solicitor.
The email seen by the SRA appears to have been sent from the email address 'hjackson@inghams-law.uk' in an attempt to divert the recipient’s funds for a property transaction.
The telephone number quoted in the email is '01709 246088'.
The telephone number '01709 246088' was also used in another scam relating to a different firm of solicitors:
Emails misusing the name of Chamberlain Martin Solicitors
Any business or transactions through the email address 'hjackson@inghams-law.uk' or the telephone number '01709 246088' 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 Inghams Solicitors. The genuine firm uses email addresses that end with the domain name '@inghams-law.co.uk'.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Helen Jackson, who is employed at Inghams Solicitors and whose genuine email address is 'hjackson@inghams-law.co.uk'.
The genuine telephone number for Inghams Solicitors is 01253 873481 and its genuine SRA number is 76362.
The genuine firm of Inghams Solicitors has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine solicitor, Helen Jackson, have any 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.
More information
Update 15 November 2021
Further emails have been sent to members of public from the bogus domain name '@inghams-law.uk' requesting the recipient send funds for a property transaction. Any emails using this domain name are not genuine emails from the genuine firm.