Alerts

Warning: Stamped document misusing the name of Thornes the Solicitors

22 May 2023

Stamped document misusing the name, address, and SRA ID of Thornes Legal Limited trading as Thornes the Solicitors.

What is the scam?

A document purporting to have been produced and 'stamped' by 'Thornes Solicitors' misuses the name, address and SRA ID of a genuine firm (see below).

The 'stamp' seen on the document also purports to be signed by a solicitor called 'Nicola Stratton' of 'Thornes Solicitors'.

The SRA has also seen an email from an individual claiming to be 'Nicola Stratton' of Thornes Solicitors which relates to a property matter.

The email was sent from 'nicolastratton.thornessols@gmail.com' and included the name and address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'nicolastratton.thornessols@gmail.com' is not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Thornes Legal Limited, which trades as Thornes the Solicitors. The genuine firm is also known as Thornes Solicitors. The genuine firm's email address uses the domain '@thornessolicitors.co.uk' and its head office address is Lich Gates, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 1UA.

The firm has confirmed that it does not have an employee called 'Nicola Stratton'. It also confirmed that it has no connection to the correspondence referred to in the above alert.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Nicola Stratton, who is not a practising solicitor and does not work for Thornes Legal Limited.

The genuine solicitor Nicola Stratton has confirmed that she has no connection to the stamp, the 'signature' or correspondence referred to in the above alert.

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.