Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Birnberg Peirce Ltd

26 March 2023

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Tara Mulcair' of 'Birnberg Peirce Ltd' advising recipients that a new folder has been shared with them.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent to various individuals falsely claiming to be from 'Tara Mulcair' of 'Birnberg Peirce Ltd.'

The email seen by the SRA advises the recipient that 'Tara Mulcair shared the folder 'Birnberg Pierce Ltd'' with you' and requests the recipient to open the folder. The concern is that the attached link may contain malware.

The email falsely appears to be sent from a genuine email address of a firm (see below).

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm called Birnberg Peirce Ltd.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Tara Mulcair who is employed at Birnberg Pierce Ltd.  Her genuine email address is T.Mulcair@birnbergpeirce.co.uk

Birnberg Pierce Ltd have confirmed that neither it nor the genuine Tara Mulcair has any genuine or intended connection with the email 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.