Alerts

Warning: Correspondence sent misusing the name and website of Preiskel & Co LLP

11 June 2021

Correspondence has been sent misusing the name Jose Saras of Preiskel & Co LLP

What is the scam?

A member of the public has received a faxed letter claiming to be from 'Jose Saras', 'Partner, Resolution and Probate' at 'Preskel & Co LLP'. The letter relates to pursuing a claim from a purportedly unclaimed inheritance, with the recipient of the letter understood to have the same last name of a supposedly deceased client.

The letter provides a telephone number of '011 44 20 81236312' a fax number of '011 44 20 3966 9110' and “011 44 20 3808 6527' and email addresses of 'josesaras52@gmail.com' and 'jsaras@preskel.com'.  The letter also provides, and misuses, the genuine head office address of a genuine firm (see below).

Also, the website 'www.preskel.com' is operating.  This website appears to have cloned and misuses pages from the website of the genuine firm (see below). It also provides a contact number of “+44 20 3097 1792'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called “Preskel & Co LLP' (but see below in relation to the details of a genuine firm and solicitor whose details are being misused in the letter).

Any business or transactions through “Preskel & Co LLP' or the website, telephone numbers or email addresses set out above are not undertaken by a solicitor's firm or a solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA. 

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Jose Saras who is a member of Preiskel & Co LLP, a genuine firm of solicitors which is also authorised and regulated by the SRA. 

The genuine firm’s head office is based at 4 King’s Bench Walk, Temple, London EC4Y 7DL. The firm’s head office general telephone number is 020 7332 5640, its email domain is @preiskel.com and the website address is www.preiskel.com.

The genuine firm Preiskel & Co LLP have confirmed that neither they nor Jose Saras have any connection to the website or letter 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.