Alerts

Warning: Correspondence has been sent misusing the name of Mortimer Clarke Solicitors Limited

6 October 2021

Correspondence misusing the name of Mortimer Clarke Solicitors Limited, in relation to supposed Forex trading payment arrears.

What is the scam?

Correspondence has been sent falsely purporting to be from 'Mortimer Clarke Solicitors', in relation to supposed arrears of payment regarding Foreign Exchange Trading. The letter requests a payment is made within 14 days.

The letter seen by the SRA provides office addresses of '16-66 Grafton Road' and '12-12 Grafton Road', a telephone contact number of '0323 127 4454', an email address of ‘info@murtimerclarke.co.uk' and a website address of ‘www.murtimerclarke.co.uk’ (replacing the “o” in Mortimer with a “u”). 

The correspondence misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions using letters with the contact details referred to above, or directly through the email address of 'info@murtimerclarke.co.uk', the telephone number of '0323 127 4454', or a website of 'www.murtimerclarke.co.uk' are not undertaken by a solicitor's practice authorised and regulated by the SRA or by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Mortimer Clarke Solicitors Limited (which trades as Mortimer Clarke Solicitors). The genuine firm is based at 16-22 Grafton Road Worthing BN11 1QP. The telephone number is 0330 045 0779.  The firm’s genuine website is 'http://www.mortimerclarke.co.uk' and  its general contact email address is 'info@mortimerclarke.co.uk'.

The genuine firm of Mortimer Clarke Solicitors Limited has confirmed that they have no connection to the correspondence 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.