Alerts
Warning: 'Whelan, Macaulay & Partners LLP' falsely claiming to be a law firm
2 November 2022
A letter has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Tom A. Whelan’ of 'Whelan, Macaulay & Partners LLP' in relation to a supposed unclaimed 'permanent life insurance policy'.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been advised that a letter has been sent to a member of the public from an individual called 'Tom A. Whelan' claiming to be a Partner at 'Whelan, Macaulay & Partners LLP' in relation to a supposed unclaimed 'permanent life insurance policy' payment.
The letter provides the telephone number '+44 745 229 7428', email address 'tom@whelanmacualayllp.com' and website 'www.whelanmacualayllp.com'.
The letter misuses the name of a genuine solicitor and the address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called Whelan, Macaulay & Partners LLP.
Any business or transactions through 'Whelan, Macaulay & Partners LLP' or the telephone number '+44 745 229 7428' or email address 'tom@whelanmacualayllp.com' are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or an individual authorised or regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP whose head office is at 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Thomas Whelan who is a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP and who has an email address through the firm's domain name.
The genuine McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP and Thomas Whelan have confirmed they do not have any connection to the scam referred to above.
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.
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