Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Cook & Talbot Limited

19 October 2023

Emails have been sent to members of the public misusing the name of Cook & Talbot Limited in relation to a supposed conveyancing matter.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen an email sent from an individual called 'Jade MacGregor', claiming to be a secretary to 'Amanda Johnson' in relation to a supposed conveyancing matter. The email asks the recipient to refer to an attached document. The email was sent from the email address 'info@griffservices.co.uk'. The email also includes the telephone number '01704 535212', fax number '01704 546916' and address 'Ground Floor, The Old Courthouse, 2a Albert Road, Southport, PR9 0LE'.

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

Any business or transactions through the above email address 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 Cook & Talbot Limited whose address is Ground Floor, The Old Courthouse, 2a Albert Road, Southport
PR9 0LE. The firm's genuine telephone number is 01704 535216 and fax number is 01704 546915. The genuine email domain ends with @cookandtalbot.co.uk.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Amanda Louise Johnson, who works for a separate firm.

Cook & Talbot Limited has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the emails referred to in the alert above.

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.