Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Geoffrey Forrester & Co Limited (T/A Forrester Solicitors)

28 November 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Geoffrey Forrester & Co Limited in relation to a supposed ‘Contract and Draft Documentation'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent from an individual calling themselves 'Megan Allan' claiming to be a solicitor at 'Forrester Solicitors'.

The email contains an attachment to a supposed 'letter with draft documentation and contract' and provides a password to the attachment.

The concern is the attachment may contain malware.

The email was sent using an email address of 'conveyancing@forrester-solicitors.com' and provides a telephone number of '0191 420 0810'.

The email misuses the trading name and address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through 'conveyancing@forrester-solicitors.com' or the telephone number of '0191 420 0810' are 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 a genuine firm of solicitors called Geoffrey Forrester & Co Limited trading as 'Forrester Solicitors' based at 4 Grange Road West, Jarrow NE32 3JA. The telephone number for the genuine firm is 01914200820. The genuine firm's email domain ends in @forrester-solicitors.co.uk.

Geoffrey Forrester & Co Limited employs a member of staff called Megan Allan, who is a trainee solicitor at the firm.

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it, nor the genuine Megan Allan have any genuine or intended 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.