Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name 'Leathes Prior'

18 November 2022

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Lily Stagg' of 'Leathes Prior'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Lily Stagg' of 'Leathes Prior'. The emails requested payment of 10% deposit in connection with residential conveyancing transactions.

The SRA has also been advised that the emails appeared to be sent from a genuine email address of a genuine firm (see below).

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Leathes Prior.  The genuine firm has confirmed that it has an employee called Lily Stagg, whose genuine email address is lstagg@leathesprior.co.uk.

Leathes Prior has confirmed that neither the firm nor the genuine Lily Stagg has any intended 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.