Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Mason Baggott & Garton

14 February 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Mason Baggott & Garton.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from employees of Mason Baggott & Garton. The emails relate to commercial conveyancing transactions and request the transfer of funds.

The SRA has also been advised that the emails were sent from email addresses 'richardmason@lawlinkcs.com' and 'sarah@lawlinkcs.com'. They also misuse the genuine email footer and SRA number of a genuine firm (see below).

Any business or transactions through the email addresses 'richardmason@lawlinkcs.com' and 'sarah@lawlinkcs.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 Mason Baggott & Garton. The genuine firm employs solicitors called Richard Mason whose genuine telephone number is 01724 868611 and two solicitors called Sarah.

Emails from the genuine firm Mason Baggott & Garton end with the domain name '@lawlincs.co.uk'. Its SRA number is 52881.

The genuine firm of Mason Baggott & Garton has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine individuals mentioned above have any intended connection to the emails 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.