Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Michelle Harding and Johnson Astills

23 February 2023

Emails regarding divorce proceedings have been sent from an individual falsely purporting to be Michelle Harding of Johnson Astills.

What is the scam?

A member of the public has received emails falsely claiming to be from Michelle Harding of Johnson Astills referring to supposed work regarding divorce proceedings.

The emails were sent from the email address of 'michelleharding.astills@gmail.com'. The emails misuse the names of a genuine solicitor and a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through the email addresses 'michelleharding.astills@gmail.com' are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorized and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Johnson Astills Limited (which trades as Johnson Astills).

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Michelle Harding who is a director at Johnson Astills Limited. The firm’s genuine email domain name ends with @johnsonastills.com.

The genuine firm of Johnson Astills Limited and the genuine Michelle Harding have both confirmed that they have no 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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.