Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Simmons & Simmons LLP

24 October 2022

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Simmons & Simmons LLP in relation to a supposedly unpaid invoice.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to from 'Simmons + Simmons LLP' in relation to a supposed unpaid invoice. The email contained an attachment of a supposed invoice claiming to be from 'simmons+simmons'.

The SRA has been advised that the emails were sent from the email addresses 'victoriachanning@simmonslegals.com' and 'Kirsty.barnes@ssslegallclp.com'.

The emails misuse the names of genuine solicitors, and the attached invoice misuses the name and registered address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through the email addresses of 'victoriachanning@simmonslegals.com' and 'kirsty.barnes@ssslegallclp.com' 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 firm of solicitors called Simmons & Simmons LLP. The firm email domain ends with '@simmons-simmons.com'. The firm's head office is based at Citypoint One Ropemaker Street London EC2Y 9SS.

The SRA also authorises and regulates genuine solicitors called Kirsty Barnes, who is Member of the genuine firm of Simmons & Simmons LLP, and Victoria Channing, who was previously employed at the genuine firm Simmons & Simmons LLP.

The genuine firm Simmons & Simmons LLP and the genuine solicitors Kirsty Barnes and Victoria Channing have confirmed that they do not have any connection with 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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.