Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Mackenzie Jones Solicitors Limited
9 December 2022
Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Hannah Oakes' of 'Mackenzie Jones Solicitors Limited'.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Hannah Oakes' of 'Mackenzie Jones Solicitors Limited'.
The emails were in relation to residential conveyancing transactions and requested the recipients to transfer funds into an alternative bank account. A document providing fraudulent bank details was attached to the email correspondence.
The email address used to send the emails was hannah.oakes@macjone.com. The telephone and fax number provided was +44 (0) 1745 536 011. The email seen by the SRA also gives the genuine postal and DX address for the genuine firm (see below).
Any business or transactions through any email address using the domain @macjone.com or the contact numbers +44 (0) 1745 536 011 is not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or 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 Mackenzie Jones Solicitors Limited whose head office is at 26 St. Asaph Business Park, St. Asaph, LL17 0LJ, Wales. The genuine firm also has a branch address at 22 High Street, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5EE, Wales. The firm’s genuine website is www.macjones.com.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Hannah Oakes whose genuine email address is Hannah.Oakes@macjones.com and her genuine telephone number is 01745 536 030.
Mackenzie Jones Solicitors Limited only uses the email domain name of ‘@macjones.com’.
Mackenzie Jones Solicitors Limited has confirmed that neither the firm, nor the genuine Hannah Oakes has any genuine and intended connection to the email 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.