Alerts

Warning: Letter misusing the name of Scornik Gerstein LLP

17 July 2022

A letter has been sent misusing the name Scornik Gerstein LLP regarding a supposedly unclaimed inheritance.

What is the scam?

A letter has been sent to a member of the public from an individual called 'Raymond Ashmore', claiming to be a Managing Partner at a genuine firm of solicitors and writing regarding a supposedly unclaimed inheritance of an unknown relative.

The letter provides a telephone number of ’44 7700 307388’ and the email addresses of 'rayashmore@scornikllp.com' and 'rayashmore2004@gmail.com'.

The letter misuses the name and postal address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a solicitor called 'Raymond Ashmore'.

Any business or transactions through the contact details set out above are not undertaken by an authorised solicitor's practice or 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 Scornik Gerstein LLP based at 9 - 10 Staple Inn 2nd floor London WC1V 7QH. The firm’s main office telephone number is 02078317070 and its genuine email domains end with @scornik.com.

Scornik Gerstein LLP has confirmed they do not have any connection to the letter 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.