Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of ‘Saunders Law’

13 October 2022

An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from ‘Louise Rispin’ of ‘Saunders Law Firms Hanko Dezso Solicitors’ in relation to a supposed unpaid invoice.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen an email falsely claiming to be from 'Louise Rispin' of 'Saunders Law Firms Hanko Dezso Solicitors' regarding a supposed unpaid invoice. The SRA understands the attached invoice shows a false logo and fraudulent bank account details for a genuine firm (see below).

The email was sent using the email address of 'louise.rispin@saundersankodezsolaw.co.uk'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called 'Louise Rispin'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm called 'Saunder Law Firms Hanko Dezso Solicitors'.

Any business or transaction through the 'Louise Rispin','Saunder Law Firm Hanko Dezso Solicitors' or the email address of 'louise.rispin@saundersankodezsolaw.co.uk' is 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 Saunders & Partners LLP who trade as Saunders Law. The firm's email domain name ends with @saunders.co.uk.

Saunders & Partners LLP has confirmed that it does not have any connection to 'Louise Rispin' or the email 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.