Alerts

Warning: Website and emails claiming to be from 'Colvins Solicitors'

28 January 2022

The website 'www.colvins.uk' is operating claiming to be for 'Colvins Solicitors'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that the website 'www.colvins.uk' is operating falsely claiming to be associated with Colvin & Partners (see below). The website seen by the SRA advises members of the public that 'Colvins is owned and managed by Colvin and Partners LLP'. The website provides a contact email address of 'support@colvins.uk' and a telephone number of '0208 058 4774'.

The SRA is also aware that emails have been sent claiming to be Colvin Jayasinghe from the email address ‘Jay.colvin@colvins.uk’ claiming to be a 'Senior Solicitor' (see below).

We have also seen emails from 'Anthony J. Barbour' claiming to be a 'Legal Caseworker & Investigator' from the email address ‘anthony.barbour@colvins.uk’ and from 'Steve Hall' from the email address ‘steve.hall@colvins.uk’ claiming to be an 'Employment Solicitor'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate any genuine solicitors called 'Anthony J. Barbour' or 'Steve Hall'.

Any business or transaction through the above website and contact details is not undertaken by a solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Colvin & Partners. The firm's genuine contact details are 0208 952 7666 and the email address colvin@colvinandpartners.com. The genuine website for the firm is www.colvinandpartners.com however the SRA has been advised that this website is currently under construction.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Colvin Jayasinghe who is a Partner at the genuine firm.

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.