Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Kirstie Hutchinson of Macfarlanes LLP

20 April 2023

An email has been sent misusing the name of Kirstie Hutchinson of Macfarlanes LLP in relation to a supposed overdue invoice.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent misusing the name of 'Kirstie Hutchinson' of Macfarlanes LLP in relation to a supposed overdue invoice.

The email was sent from the email address of 'kirstie.hutchinson@macfarlanes.co'.

The email misuses the name of a genuine firm and a genuine solicitor (see below).

Any business or transactions through the email address 'kirstie.hutchinson@macfarlanes.co' are 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 called Macfarlanes LLP and a genuine solicitor called Kirstie Hutchinson, who is a partner at Macfarlanes LLP.  The firm's email domain ends with @Macfarlanes.com.

Macfarlanes LLP and Kirstie Hutchinson have confirmed they have no connection to the email address provided 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.