Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Coupe Bradbury Solicitors Limited.

10 November 2023

Emails requesting funds have been sent misusing the name of Coupe Bradbury Solicitors Limited in relation to property transactions.

What is the scam?

Emails requesting funds from clients have been sent misusing the name of Coupe Bradbury Solicitors Limited in relation to property transactions.

The emails seen by the SRA were sent from the email address 'joyce.schofield@coupe-bradburry.com' and claim to be from 'Joyce Schofield, Legal Executive at Coupe Bradbury Solicitors'. The emails request funds to be sent to payees who are not associated to any legitimate transactions. The emails misuse the name, telephone numbers, genuine email address and postal addresses of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email address used to send the emails was 'joyce.schofield@coupe-bradburry.com'.

Any business or transactions through the above email address 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 Coupe Bradbury Solicitors Limited who trade as Coupe Bradbury Solicitors. The genuine firm uses the email domain name of '@coupe-bradbury.com' (please note the 'r'). The genuine firm's head office address is Bath Street Chambers, 7 Bath Street, Lytham, Lancashire, FY8 5ES and its telephone number is 01253 922777 and it also has a branch office at 48 Poulton Street, Kirkham, Lancashire, PR4 2AH.

The genuine firm has confirmed that it does employ Joyce Schofield who is a paralegal.

The genuine firm has also confirmed that it does not employ someone called Joyce Schofield who is a legal executive.

The genuine firm have confirmed neither it nor their employee Joyce Scofield have any connection to the emails 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 (e.g. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.