Alerts

Warning: Correspondence from 'Jonathan Mercer Associates' / 'Dr. Jonathan Mercer LLP'

5 July 2023

Correspondence from 'Jonathan Mercer Associates' / 'Dr. Jonathan Mercer LLP' in relation to a supposedly unclaimed 'permanent life insurance policy'.

What is the scam?

A letter has been sent from an individual using the name 'Dr Jonathan Mercer', claiming to be a 'Principal Solicitor' at 'Jonathan Mercer Associates' or 'Dr. Jonathan Mercer LLP'.  The letter seen by the SRA is in relation to a supposedly unclaimed 'permanent life insurance policy'.

The letter provides an address of serviced officed in London, an email address of 'jonathanmercer1@email.com' and a telephone number of '0740-541-9965'.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Jonathan Mercer Associates' or 'Dr. Jonathan Mercer LLP', or a solicitor called 'Jonathan Mercer'.

Any business or transaction through the above email address or telephone number, or otherwise through 'Jonathan Mercer Associates' is not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

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.