Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Merrick Solicitors
29 March 2022
Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Heather Waight of Merrick Solicitors, with the subject heading 'Signed documents'.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent, falsely claiming to be from Heather Waight of Merrick Solicitors (see below).
The subject heading of the email seen by the SRA is 'Signed documents'. The recipient of the email is asked to 'kindly view documents and advise' by clicking on an 'open files here' link.
The email also gives the website, address and telephone numbers for a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
A concern is that the link may contain malware.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Merrick Solicitors. Their address is The Lightwell, 61 – 63 Brown Street, Manchester, M2 2JG and their website is www.merrick-solicitors.com.
Heather Waight is the Practice Manager for the genuine firm. Her genuine email address is heather.waight@merrick-solicitors.com and her genuine telephone numbers are 07523 518881 and 0161 505 1850.
The genuine firm of Merrick Solicitors and their genuine Practice Manager Heather Waight have confirmed they have no connection to the emails 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.