Alerts
Warning: Correspondence misusing the name of Bone & Payne LLP
28 December 2023
Scam alert: An email has been sent to a member of the public requesting a reply to a false version of Bone & Payne’s email address in relation to a supposed transfer of funds.
What is the scam?
The SRA was advised that an email has been sent to a member of the public in relation to a supposed transfer of funds in a conveyancing matter.
An email seen by the SRA asks the recipient to confirm that funds are available for transfer in readiness of contract exchange and completion. And, upon confirmation our trust details will be sent to you for payment.
The email misuses the name, telephone number and registered address of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of its genuine employee, Diane Williams.
The email asks the recipient to reply to the email address: diane.williams@boneandpaynes.co.uk.
Any business or transaction through the email domain 'diane.williams@boneandpaynes.co.uk' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Bone & Payne LLP advised that it would never inform clients of a change of its bank details via email. If in doubt, please contact Bone & Payne LLP as per details below to confirm bank details before transferring any funds.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm called Bone & Payne LLP. Its genuine head office address is 55 Madoc Street, Llandudno, LL30 2TW, Wales.
The genuine contact number for Bone & Payne LLP is 01492876354 and the genuine head office fax number is 01492874531.
The genuine websites for Bone & Payne LLP are 'https://www.boneandpayne.co.uk/'. The genuine email domain of the firm ends with @boneandpayne.co.uk.
The genuine firm of Bone & Payne LLP has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine Diane Williams who is employed by the firm have a genuine connection to 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.