Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Addleshaw Goddard LLP

5 October 2022

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Addleshaw Goddard LLP in relation to the payment of outstanding invoices.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been notified that emails have been sent misusing the name and details of Addleshaw Goddard LLP in relation the payment of outstanding invoices and providing details of a bank account details requesting the payment of funds.

The emails purport to have been sent by someone claiming to be called 'Paula Paragh' using the email address paula.paragh@adleshawgoddard.com and claiming to be from the genuine firm. Please note that only one 'd' is used in this domain name (see below). The emails misuse the genuine firm's name, logo, and address (see below).

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Paula Paragh'.

Any business or transactions through the email address paula.paragh@adleshawgoddard.com or emails ending with the domain name @adleshawgoddard.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 firm of solicitors called Addleshaw Goddard LLP whose head office is at Milton Gate, 60 Chiswell Street, London, ECY 4AG. The firm's genuine email domain ends with '@addleshawgoddard.com' and its genuine website is www.addleshawgoddard.com.

The genuine firm has confirmed that it previously employed an individual called Paula Paragh as a Legal PA until March 2022.

The genuine firm has confirmed that it does not have any connection with 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.