Alerts

Warning: Emails and telephone calls misusing the name of Spencers Solicitors Limited

26 April 2022

Emails and telephone calls have been sent and made to members of the public falsely claiming to be from 'James Hunter' at Spencers Solicitors Limited.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails and telephone calls have been made to members of the public falsely claiming to be from ‘James Hunter' at Spencers Solicitors.

The SRA understands that the emails relate to ‘pension mismanagement' and the recipient is informed that the firm had been assigned by the Financial Ombudsmen to deal with compensation in relation to pension mismanagement. The recipient is then asked to make an initial payment via electronic transfer. The SRA has been advised that the emails appear to have been sent from the following email addresses; ‘Jameshunter@spencerssolicitors.net', ‘Jameshunter@spencerssolicitors.co.uk' and ‘Spencer.sl.2020@email.com'. They also provide the company number, VAT number and postal address for a genuine firm (see below).

Any business or transactions through the above email addresses Jameshunter@spencerssolicitors.net', ‘Jameshunter@spencerssolicitors.co.uk' and ‘Spencer.sl.2020@email.com is not undertaken 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 Spencers Solicitors Limited (Company number: 6059110). The genuine firm's head office is 'Spire Walk Business Park, Derby Road, Chesterfield, S40 2WG'.

The correct email addresses for the firm end with the domain name 'l@SpencersSolicitors.com'

The genuine Spencers Solicitors Limited has confirmed that it does not employ anyone called James Hunter and has no connection to the emails and telephone calls referred to in the above alert.

The SRA also authorises and regulates individuals by the name; James Hunter however none of whom are believed to be connected to 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.