Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Jackson Brierley Hudson Stoney Incorporating A.H Sutcliffe & Co

14 November 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Jackson Brierley Hudson Stoney Incorporating A.H Sutcliffe & Co, in relation to conveyancing matters.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Jackson Brierley Hudson Stoney Incorporating A.H Sutcliffe & Co, which trades as JBHS Solicitors (see below for details of the genuine firm).

The SRA has been advised that the emails request the recipient to transfer funds into an alternative bank account, when that account is not actually associated with the genuine firm.

We understand that the emails appeared to be sent using various email addresses, including:

Siobhan.sloan@jbhs.uk

Fleur.everett@jbhs.uk

Fleur.evertt@jbhs.co.uk

The emails misuse the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and some misuse the name of a genuine solicitor.

We understand that other emails looked as if they were sent from the genuine email addresses of staff members at the genuine firm (see below), but they were not genuine emails originating from the firm.

Any business or transactions through the email addresses above are 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 Jackson Brierley Hudson Stoney Incorporating A.H Sutcliffe & Co (which trades as JBHS Solicitors).  The firm’s address is The Old Parsonage, 2 St. Marys Gate, Rochdale, OL16 1AP. The firm’s genuine telephone number is 01706644187. The genuine email addresses of solicitors and staff at the firm use the format of 'firstname.surname@jbhs.co.uk'

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Fleur Everett who is a partner at the genuine firm.  The firm has confirmed that Evie Cook, Olivia Crowther, and Siobhan Sloan are genuine employees of the firm, whose names were misused in the emails.

The genuine firm has confirmed that it does not have any genuine and 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.