Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name and address of Punch Robson

19 October 2021

An email has been sent misusing the name of Katherine Eaton of Punch Robson

What is the scam?

An email has been sent misusing the name and details of Katherine Eaton of Punch Robson.  The email seen by the SRA appears to have been sent from the email address 'keaton@pvnchrobson.com' (note the 'v' instead of 'u' in the domain name). The email attached a letter that also misused the name of the genuine firm (see below) and informed the recipient of supposed alternative bank details for a payment.  

Any business or transaction through the email address 'keaton@pvnchrobson.com' (or any email address using the domain name '@pvnchrobson.com' is 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 solicitor called Katherine Eaton who is a partner in the genuine firm of Punch Robson.  The genuine email addresses of Ms Eaton are Keaton@punchrobson.co.uk which diverts emails to Keaton@punchrobson.law and property@punchrobson.law.

The genuine firm has a head office address of 34 Myton Road, Ingleby Barwick, Stockton on Tees, TS17 0WG and a genuine branch office address of Unit E, Parkway Centre, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, TS8 0TJ.

The genuine firm and the genuine Katherine Eaton have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the email 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.