Alerts
Warning: Documents recently stamped by 'Braidwood Solicitors' using an address in Stafford Road, Croydon.
21 February 2022
A document has been stamped by 'Braidwood Solicitors', supposedly of an address in Stafford Road, Croydon.
What is the scam?
The SRA has seen copies of apparently certified documents, supposedly stamped in 2022 by ‘Braidwood Solicitors’ of ‘Stafford House 19 Stafford Road Croydon CR0 4NG’. The documents appear to be signed as genuine by someone using the name “John Richarson”.
The stamp misuses a similar name of a genuine firm, and the genuine firm’s telephone contact number (see below).
We understand that any recent documents containing a stamp purporting to be from ‘Braidwood Solicitors’ of the above address are not certified by the genuine firm.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA does authorise and regulate a genuine firm called Braidwood Law Practice Solicitors, which is based at Falcon House, 6 Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath CR7 8LU. The firm’s telephone number is 02087267926.
The genuine firm has confirmed that it did previously use the address of Stafford House, 19 Stafford Road, Croydon CR0 4NG as a branch office, but has not used it since August 2015. The firm has confirmed it does not have any genuine connection to the documents referred to in the above alert and have never had an employee called John Richarson (or John Richardson).
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.