Alerts

Warning: Telephone calls from 'Smith Law Associates' misusing the name of Bradley Mark Smith

27 February 2023

Telephone calls have been made from 'Smith Law Associates' misusing the name of Bradley Mark Smith in relation to pursuing a claim for compensation for mis-sold solar panels.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that a member of the public has received telephone calls from two individuals called 'Bradley Mark Smith' claiming to be from 'Smith Law Associates' in respect of pursuing a claim for compensation for mis-sold solar panels in relation to 'ANIC Associates Ltd'.

The caller requests upfront payment through an HSBC account in a third party's name.

The callers misused the name and SRA ID of a genuine solicitor (see below).

Any business or transaction through the above bank details are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitors called Bradley Smith. His SRA ID is 358275.

The SRA authorised and regulated a genuine firm of solicitors called Smith Law Partnership, which ceased trading on 30 June 2014.

Smith Law Partnership and Bradley Smith have confirmed they have no genuine connection to the calls 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 (eg. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.