Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Newstead & Walker Limited

23 December 2022

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Newstead & Walker Limited requesting payment of funds.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from ‘Newstead & Walker Limited’.

The SRA is advised that the email requested the recipients to transfer funds into an alternative bank account.

The email domain used to send the emails was 'newsteadswalker.com'.

The website 'www.newsteadswalker.com' is also operating claiming to be for a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through any email address using the domain 'newsteadswalker.com', or through the website 'www.newsteadswalker.com' 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 Newstead & Walker Limited trading as Newstead & Walker. The firm’s genuine website is www.newsteadwalker.co.uk

Newstead & Walker Limited only uses the email domain name of '@NewsteadWalker.co.uk'.

Newstead & Walker Limited had confirmed that it does not have any genuine and intended connection to the details 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.