Alerts

Warning: Letters misusing the name of Burges Salmon LLP

5 October 2022

Correspondence misusing the name and logo of Burges Salmon LLP, supposedly verifying the occupation of a property.

What is the scam?

Letters have been sent misusing the name and logo of Burges Salmon LLP.

The letter seen by the SRA states that it provides 'Verification of Tenant Ocupancy' (sic) for an individual purportedly running a business.  The letter also falsely claims it was sent by the firm’s Managing Partner, Roger Bull, from the firm’s branch office in Edinburgh (see below).

The SRA understands that this letter, and others of a similar nature, have been sent mainly to utility companies.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Burges Salmon LLP, which has a branch office at 144 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EX, Scotland.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Roger Bull, who is the Managing Partner of Burges Salmon LLP, based at its Head Office at 1 Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0ZX.

The genuine firm of Burges Salmon LLP has confirmed that neither the firm nor any of its solicitors have any connection to the letters 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.