Alerts
Warning: Correspondence and website for 'Hawkins Law Firm'
9 November 2021
A fax has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'David Gay ESQ' of 'Hawkins Law Firm' in relation to an unclaimed life insurance policy.
What is the scam?
A fax has been sent to an individual in Canada referring to a supposedly unclaimed 'permanent life insurance policy'. The faxed letter claims to be from 'David Gay ESQ', who the letter claims is an Attorney and a Partner at 'Hawkins Law Firm'.
The fax seen by the SRA refers to an unclaimed 'savings monetary deposit' in the sum of thirteen million supposedly held by a 'reputable bank'. It asks the recipient of the fax to help claim the life insurance policy due to the recipient holding the same surname and nationality of the client/deceased, with the proceeds proposed to be split 45% each to the recipient and the rest of the 10% going to charity.
The letter seen by the SRA claims to be from 'Hawkins Law Firm' and provides an address of 'Kaplan Universal Square, Devonshire St N, Manchester, M12 6JH', a telephone number of '+44 203 769 6461 and a fax number of '+44 870 820 0920'. It also provides email addresses of 'info@hawkinschambers.com', 'david@hawkinschambers.com' and 'davidgayesq@gmail.com' and a website address of 'www.hawkinschambers.com'.
The website 'www.hawkinschambers.com' is operating claiming to be for 'Hawkins Law'. The website gives the same telephone and email address('info@hawkinschambers.com') listed above. The firm claims to employ individuals called Richard John, David Gay, Christopher Philip and Joyce Morrison and gives the email addresses of 'richard@hawkinschambers.com', 'David.hawskinschambers.com', 'chris@hawkinschambers.com' and 'joyce@hawskinschambers.com'.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called Hawkins Law Firm, nor does it authorise or regulate solicitors called Christopher Philip or Joyce Morrison.
Any business or transaction through 'Hawkins Law Firm' at the above address, or the above contact details are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or individuals authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises genuine firms of solicitors called Hawkins Law Limited and Hawkins Family Law Limited, neither of whom are believed to have any connection to the above matters.
The SRA does authorise and regulate genuine Solicitors called Richard John and David Gay, none of whom are believed to have any intended or genuine connection with 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 22 November 2021
Further faxes have been sent to individuals (same as above) however an alternative fax number of '+44 151 808 0969' has been given. Any business or transaction through this fax number Is not undertaken by a solicitors’ practice authorised and regulated by the SRA.