Alerts

Warning: Document from 'Cooper & Stetten Solicitors' claiming to be from a law firm

20 December 2023

A notice claiming to be from 'Cooper & Stetten Solicitors' has been placed on a property.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that a notice claiming to be from 'Cooper & Stetten Solicitors' has been placed on a property. The notice says that entry into the premises is prohibited.

The document provides a contact name of 'Johan Stetten', an email address of 'customerservice@cooperstetten.co.uk' and an address of '76 Talbot Road, Old Trafford, London, Stretford, Manchester M16 0PQ'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Cooper & Stetten Solicitors'.

The SRA does not regulate an individual by the name of Johan Stetten.

Any business or transaction through 'Cooper & Stetten Solicitors' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Any business or transaction through the email domain 'customerservice@cooperstetten.co.uk' 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 Simpson Millar Solicitors. The document in the above alert misuses the previous address of Simpson Millar Solicitors. The genuine firm's previous address was 76 Talbot Road, Oakland House, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0PQ.

The genuine firm Simpson Millar Solicitors have confirmed they do not have any connection with 'Cooper & Stetten Solicitors', nor do they have any connection to the email domain 'customerservice@cooperstetten.co.uk'.

The genuine firm Simpson Millar Solicitors have confirmed they do not employ an individual by the name of 'Johan Stretten'.

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.