Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Nia Charles of Charles Silverman Solicitors Limited

25 October 2021

Emails falsely claiming to be from Charles Silverman Solicitors Limited (trading as Serious Accident Solicitors), attaching a supposed invoice.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Nia Charles of Charles Silverman Solicitors Limited (trading as Serious Accident Solicitors), attaching a supposed invoice for payment. The SRA has been advised that all the false emails were sent around 11am on 27 September 2021.

The emails were sent appearing to be from the genuine email address of a solicitor (see below) and misused her name and that of her genuine firm of solicitors. A concern is that the attachment may contain malware.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Nia Charles. Her genuine SRA number is 17359.  Mrs Charles is a director of the genuine authorised form of solicitors called Charles Silverman Solicitors Limited (which trades as Serious Accident Solicitors), whose genuine SRA number is 597334.   

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.