Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Middleton & Upsall LLP

13 December 2023

An email has been sent misusing the name of Middleton & Upsall LLP.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from an individual called 'Lance Castle' of 'Middletons Solicitors'.

The email said that a payment had been made to the recipient via a bank transfer and allegedly provided a remittance advice.

The email seen by the SRA was sent from a 'Sandra Taylor' using the email address 'perdomodaza@hotmail.com'.

The email misuses the name and logo of Middleton & Upsall LLP.

Any business or transactions being carried out through the email 'perdomodaza@hotmail.com' 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 Middleton & Upsall LLP, which uses the trading name of Middletons Solicitors. The genuine firm's email domain ends in '@middletonslegal.com'.

The genuine firm Middleton & Upsall LLP has confirmed it does not have any connection to the email referred to in the above alert.

The genuine firm Middleton & Upsall LLP has confirmed it does not employ an individual called 'Lance Castle' or 'Sandra Taylor'.

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.