Alerts
Warning: Document misusing the names of Anthony Walters & Co and the Barrington Law Partnership
15 December 2023
A letter and an email purporting to confirm a property purchase have been sent misusing the name of Ian Shuttleworth, Anthony Walters & Co Solicitors and the Barrington Law Partnership.
What is the scam?
A letter and an email have been sent misusing the name of a genuine solicitor and genuine firm of solicitors.
The SRA has seen correspondence regarding a purchase of a property which use the name of a genuine solicitor and firm. The correspondence claims to relate to a completed purchase of a property.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called The Barrington Law Partnership (trading names: Hodgson and Angus, Anthony Walters and Company). The firm has a head office at Barrington Chambers, Victoria Avenue, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7JH.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a solicitor called Ian Shuttleworth who is a partner at The Barrington Law Partnership
The genuine firm of The Barrington Law Partnership (trading names: Hodgson and Angus, Anthony Walters and Company) has confirmed that neither it, nor the genuine Ian Shuttleworth have any genuine and intended connection to the correspondence referred to in the 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.