Alerts

Warning: Freelance Advocacy Services

25 October 2021

A photo ID document for 'Andy Harris' of 'Freelance Advocacy Services' has been provided in respect of a supposedly unclaimed inheritance.

What is the scam?

A member of the public has been contacted by an individual claiming to be ‘Andy Harris’ who claims to be a solicitor at ‘Freelance Advocacy Service’ regarding a supposedly unclaimed inheritance. 

The SRA has been advised that the individual provided a photo ID card, which states it is “issued by London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association”. The card also provides a contact number of ‘07980 846330’.

The SRA also understands that additional documentation was provided, including a ‘Will’ for an individual with the same surname as the recipient and ‘accountant and gold conservatorship information’.  

A Canadian bank account details was also provided.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called ‘Freelance Advocacy Service’.

Any business or transactions through Freelance Advocacy Service’ are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA does authorise and regulate a number of genuine solicitors called Andrew Harris, none of whom are believed to be connected to the card or documentation 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.