Alerts

Warning: Correspondence misusing the name of Douglas-Jones Mercer Solicitors

28 April 2023

Correspondence has been sent from a 'James Anderson' who falsely claims to be a 'Paralegal Executive' at Douglas-Jones Mercer Solicitors.

What is the scam?

A letter has been received by a finance company from someone using the name 'James Anderson', falsely claiming to be a 'Paralegal Executive' at Douglas-Jones Mercer Solicitors (see below details of the genuine firm).

The letter seen by the SRA relates to a supposed inheritance. A version of the genuine firm's logo is positioned on the top left of the letter and the letter misuses the name and various contact details of the genuine firm (see below). The letter also provides an email address of 'office@djm.law.co.uk'.

Any business or transactions through a 'James Anderson' claiming to be currently working for the genuine firm as referred to below, or through the above email address, is not undertaken by a firm 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 DJM Law Limited, which trades as Douglas-Jones Mercer Solicitors. The firm’s head office address is 16 Axis Court, Mallard Way, Swansea, SA7 OAJ, which has a genuine contact number of 01792 650000. The firm's genuine central email address is: post@djm.law.co.uk.

The firm has confirmed it does not have a genuine employee called 'James Anderson'.  It also confirmed that the firm's current letterhead has the firm's logo in the centre, not on the left, and has no genuine connection to the correspondence 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.