Alerts

Warning: Telephone calls misusing the name of Solicitors Regulation Authority

24 November 2023

Firms have received telephone calls purporting to be from the SRA.

What is the scam?

The SRA has become aware that individuals claiming to be from the SRA have made telephone contact with law firms to arrange onsite pre-audit meetings.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

If the SRA wish to conduct an inspection of a firm, we will write formally, contacting a firm’s COLP or MLCO from an @sra.org.uk account, to make any arrangements. To verify information of a genuine contact from the Solicitors Regulation Authority, contact us.

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.