Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of 'Gill Turner Tucker'

9 November 2021

An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Gill Turner Tucker' solicitors attaching a supposed 'Contract Bundle'.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Thomas Harris' at 'Gill Turner Tucker' attaching a supposed 'Contract Bundle'. The email had the subject heading 'Your Purchase Case' and claims to have has a link to, 'Letter to Buyer's Solicitor Enclosing Contract Bundle' Contract (Fifth Edition) Grant of Probate.pdf'.

A concern is that the link may contain malware.

The email misuse the genuine name, address and SRA ID of a genuine firm of solicitors. The email also appears to be sent from the genuine email address for a staff member of the firm (see below).

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Gill Turner Tucker. The firm is based at Colman House King Street Maidstone ME14 1JE. The firm’s genuine telephone number is 01622 759051 and fax number is 01622 762192 and its SRA ID is 47921.

The genuine firm has confirmed that it employs a member of staff called Thomas Harris who is a trainee solicitor at the firm and whose genuine email address is thomas.harris@gillturnertucker.com.

The genuine Gill Turner Tucker and Thomas Harris have confirmed that they have no genuine and intended connection to the email 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.