Alerts
Warning: Correspondence and website for 'Abbey Law Firm'
8 February 2023
A fax has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'David Brunt ESQ' of 'Abbey Law Firm' in relation to an unclaimed life insurance policy.
What is the scam?
A fax has been sent to an individual in the United States referring to a supposedly unclaimed 'permanent life insurance policy'. The faxed letter claims to be from 'David Brunt ESQ', Attorney at Law and Partner at 'Abbey Law Firm' acting on behalf of a deceased client.
The fax seen by the SRA refers to an unclaimed 'Payable on Death savings monetary deposit' in the sum of thirteen million, Thirty Thousand British Pounds, supposedly held by a 'reputable bank'. It asks the recipient of the fax to help claim the life insurance policy as the recipient shares the same surname and nationality of the deceased, with the proceeds proposed to be split between the recipient and David Brunt and the rest of the 10% going to charity.
The letter seen by the SRA claims to be from 'Abbey Law Firm, Conselors at Law, Barrister and Solicitors Notary Public'. The address of Abbey Law Firm is stated as '212 Normanton Rd, Derby, DE23 GWA, UK', with a telephone number of '+447442562772' and a fax number of '+441568430082'. It also provides email addresses of 'info@abbeylawyers.com', 'DAVID@ABBEYLAWYERS.COM' and 'DAVIDBRUNTESQ@GMAIL.COM' and a website address of 'www.abbeylawyers.com'
The website 'www.abbeylawyers.com' is operating claiming to be for 'Abbey Solicitors'. The website gives the same telephone and email address('info@abbeylawyers.com') listed above. The firm claims to employ individuals called; Tom Dalston, John Caleb, Mary Philip, Ken Hillary, David Brunt, Michael Eric, Cydy Walker and Clint Anthony.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors called Abbey Law Firm, nor does it authorise or regulate solicitors called Tom Dalston, John Caleb, Mary Philip, Ken Hillary, David Brunt, Michael Eric, Cydy Walker and Clint Anthony.
Any business or transaction through 'Abbey Law Firm' or any of the individuals listed on the website at www.abbeylawyers.com using the above postal or email addresses, or telephone numbers are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or individuals authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises genuine firms of solicitors called Abbey Law, Abbey Solicitors Limited and Abbey Law Limited, none of whom are believed to have any connection to the above matters.
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.