Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Sternberg Reed LLP

25 November 2022

Emails sent misusing the name of Sternberg Reed LLP regarding a supposed investment owned by a family member.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen emails sent from 'Denis Wise' claiming he is a 'sole legal attorney' and is contacting the recipient in relation to an 'abandoned investment' that was owned by a deceased family member at the 'Financial Institution'.

The emails appear to be sent from 'Sternberg Reed LLP Solicitors' (see below for genuine firm), but were in fact from the email addresses of 'boydfrank98@gmail.com' and 'waltersmithllpsolicitors0@gmail.com'.

Any business or transaction done through the email addresses of 'boydfrank98@gmail.com' and 'waltersmithllpsolicitors0@gmail.com' are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or 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 Sternberg Reed LLP whose email domain ends in '@sternberg-reed.co.uk'.

The SRA authorised and regulated a genuine firm of solicitors called Walter Smith & Co, which has ceased trading.

The SRA does not believe that the genuine firms of Sternberg Reed and Walter Smith & Co have any connection to the email addresses 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 (eg. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.