Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Macfarlanes LLP

24 November 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Macfarlanes LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent misusing the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and its Partners (see below).

The SRA has also been advised that the emails attempted to extract payment from a third party by impersonating the firm and two of its Partners.

The email addresses used were 'charlie.maydongrace@rnacfarlanes.com', 'jonathan.arr@rnacfarlanes.com', and 'privateclientrevenueteam@rnacfarlanes.com'.

Any business or transactions through 'charlie.maydongrace@rnacfarlanes.com', 'jonathan.arr@rnacfarlanes.com', and 'privateclientrevenueteam@rnacfarlanes.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 a genuine firm of solicitors called Macfarlanes LLP. The genuine firm's email domain ends in '@macfarlanes.com'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates solicitors called Charlie Maydon Grace and Jonathan Arr who are Partners at the genuine firm of Macfarlanes LLP. Their genuine email addresses end in the domain '@macfarlanes.com'.

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it, nor the genuine Charlie Maydon Grace and Jonathan Arr have any connection to 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.