Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Birketts LLP

6 October 2022

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from staff members at Birketts LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that false emails have been sent, purporting to be from Birketts LLP, requesting the transfer of deposit monies into bank accounts which are not those of the genuine firm (see below).

We are informed that the relevant emails were sent under different names but all used email addresses ending '@birkketts.com' (with two 'k's), which is not the correct email address of the genuine firm (see below).

Any business of transaction carried out through emails using the domain “@birkketts.com” (with two 'k's) is not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or an 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 Birketts LLP, which can be contacted via its website: www.birketts.co.uk/contact-us/ and which uses the email domain name '@birketts.co.uk'

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither the firm nor any of its solicitors or other employees have any genuine connection to the emails referred to in the alert 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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.