Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Thomas Higgins Limited

10 May 2023

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Thomas Higgins of Thomas Higgins Limited in relation to a supposed inheritance.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Thomas Higgins of Thomas Higgins Limited in relation to a supposed inheritance including the ownership of gold bars.

The emails seen by the SRA request funds and provided details of a false bank account. The emails were sent from the email address 'info@thomashigginsltd.com' and provided the mobile number '+447770401454'. The email also misuses the registered office address and website of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below)

Any business or transactions through emails using a domain name ending with '@thomashigginsltd.com' or the telephone number '+447770401454' 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 firm of solicitors called Thomas Higgins Limited. Its registered office address is Lloyds Chambers, 19-21 Seaview Road, Wallasey, CH45 4TH and its telephone number is 0151 452 0452. All emails from the genuine firm use the domain name ‘@thomashiggins.com’ and its genuine website is ‘www.thomashiggins.com’.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Thomas Higgins who is the owner of the genuine firm of Thomas Higgins Limited.

The genuine firm of Thomas Higgins Limited has confirmed that neither it nor Thomas Higgins, have any connection to the scam 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.