Alerts

Warning: Telephone calls misusing the name of Co-Operative Legal Services Limited

6 January 2023

Telephone calls have been made claiming to be from Co-Operative Legal Services Limited in relation to pursuing a claim for personal injury.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that members of the public have received telephone calls from two individuals called 'Alex Smith' and 'Jessica Watson' claiming to from 'Co-Operative Legal Services' in relation to pursuing a claim for personal injury.

The telephone calls were made from '020 8157 2842' and '020 8157 2997'. The SRA understands that emails were also sent using an email address of 'happylegal.services@gmail.com'.

The calls misuse the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through the telephone number '020 8157 2842' and '020 8157 2997' or email address 'happylegal.services@gmail.com' 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 firm of solicitors called Co-Operative Legal Services Limited trading as Co-operative Legal Services. The telephone number for the firm's head office is 03306069548 and the email domain ends with @coop.co.uk.

The SRA authorises and regulates several solicitors called Alexandra Smith. It is believed none of the genuine solicitors are connected to the alert above.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Jessica Watson.

The genuine solicitor Jessica Watson and the genuine firm Co-Operative Legal Services Limited have confirmed they have no genuine connection to the calls referred to in the above alert. Co-Operative Legal Services Limited does employ a genuine staff member called Jessica Watson and did employee a former staff member called Alex Smith.

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.