Alerts

Warning: Business card misusing the name and address of Laytons LLP

20 June 2023

A business card has been sent to a member of the public misusing the name and address of Laytons LLP in relation to a supposed inheritance.

What is the scam?

A document purporting to be a business card from 'Sam Ruthenberg' of Laytons ETL in relation to a supposed inheritance.

The document seen by the SRA is from 'Sam Ruthenberg' and is falsely claiming to be an Attorney of Law of 'Laytons ETL'. The business card misuses the name and address of the genuine firm of solicitors (see below). The document includes the email address of 'samruthennberg.1@proton.me' and the telephone number of '+447765943676'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate an individual called 'Sam Ruthenberg'.

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'samruthennberg.1@proton.me' and the telephone number of '+447765943676' are not undertaken by an 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 Laytons LLP, trading as Laytons ETL and Laytons ETL Global. Its head office address is Pinners Hall, 105-108 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1ER, England and its telephone number is 0207 842 8000.

Laytons LLP has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the individual 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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.