Alerts

Warning: Letter and documents claiming to be from ‘Michael Sandman LLP’

24 January 2023

A letter and documents sent claiming to be from 'Michael Sandman' of 'Michael Sandman LLP' in relation to a supposedly unclaimed inheritance.

What is the scam?

A letter and documents have been sent to a member of the public from an individual using the name 'Michael Sandman' and claiming to be an 'Attorney at Law' at 'Michael Sandman LLP' in London.

The letter refers to a supposedly unclaimed dormant insurance policy of an unknown individual with the same surname of the recipient.

The letter provides the email addresses of 'm.sandman@michaelsandmanllp.com' and 'mikesandmanesq@gmail.com', a telephone number of '+44 203 514 7059' and a fax number of '+44 207 900 2295'. A website address of 'www.michaelsandmanllp.com' is provided - however the website does not appear to be active.

The recipient was also sent other documents, including a supposed photo identity and an admission document from 'The Law Society' for 'Michael Sandman' which misuses the SRA ID of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The SRA does not authorise a firm of solicitors called 'Michael Sandman LLP' or a solicitor called 'Michael Sandman'.

Any business or transactions through 'Michael Sandman LLP' or the above email addresses and contact numbers 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 solicitor called Victoria Ralston whose SRA ID is 585204.

The genuine solicitor Victoria Ralston has confirmed she does not have any connection to the letter or documents 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.