Alerts

Warning: Document and stamp misusing the name of Wards Solicitors LLP

10 November 2021

A document has been sent misusing the name of Wards Solicitors LLP, in relation to a tenancy related matter.

What is the scam?

A document titled ‘Surrender of Tenancy’ has been stamped misusing the name of a genuine firm (see below).

The document contains a stamp which misuses the name and branch office address for a genuine firm (see below).

The document also provides a signature, which appears to replicate that of a genuine solicitor (see below).

Any business or transaction undertaken with the stamp referred to above is not undertaken by a solicitors’ practice authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Wards Solicitors LLP, whose head office is located at 52 Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2EP, England. The SRA ID for the firm is 646117.

The firm has a branch office at 37 Boulevard, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1PE. The SRA also authorises a genuine solicitor by the name Rebecca Parkman who is a member of Wards Solicitors LLP.

The genuine firm and Ms Parkman have confirmed they have no genuine and intended connection to the document 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.