Alerts

Warning: Email and website claiming to be for 'Peter Warner' of 'Peter Warner Solicitors'

3 July 2023

An email has been sent misusing the name of 'Peter Warner', claiming to be from 'Peter Warner Solicitors' in relation to a supposed inheritance.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that an email has been sent to a member of the public misusing the name of 'Peter Warner' (see below), claiming to be both a partner and barrister from 'Peter Warner Solicitors'.

The email seen by the SRA advises the recipient  they are entitled to an unclaimed life insurance policy as they share the same surname as the deceased. The recipient is then advised to view an attachment for further details.

The email provides and misuses a genuine address (see below), a contact number/fax number of '+44 7452113587', and the email addresses 'peterwarner@peterwarner-solicitors.com' and 'peterwarner0027@gmail.com'.

The website 'www.peterwarner-solicitors.com' is also operating claiming to be a law firm. The website provides contact email addresses of 'info@peterwarner-solicitors.com' and 'career@peterwarner-solicitors.com'.

Any business or transactions through the email addresses, contact number and website referred to above 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 Peter Warner, a freelance solicitor who also works for Warner Consulting Limited (non-regulated entity). His genuine practising address is 21 Esingdon Drive, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3DS and his genuine email address is peter.warner@care4free.net.

The genuine Peter Warner has confirmed that he has no connection to the email and website referred to above.

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.