Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Sam Nichols of Maples Teesdale LLP

12 December 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Sam Nichols of Maples Teesdale LLP.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent purporting to be from Sam Nichols at Maples Teesdale LLP attaching a fake invoice purporting to have been issued by the firm, containing bank details not relating to the firm.

The email was sent using the email address of snichols@maplesteesdales.co.uk.

The email misuses the name of a genuine solicitor and firm.

Any business or transactions through the email address above 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 called Maples Teesdale LLP which operates the domain name 'maplesteesdale.co.uk'.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Sam Nichols SRA number 41350 who is a Partner at Maples Teesdale LLP.  His genuine email address is snichols@maplesteesdale.co.uk.

Maples Teesdale LLP and Mr Nichols have confirmed that they do not have any genuine or intended 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.