Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Edward Banyard Smith, Partner at Farrer & Co LLP

19 October 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Edward Banyard Smith, Partner at Farrer & Co LLP

What is the scam?

We have become aware that emails are sent from @outlook.com email account purporting to be from Edward Banyard Smith, Partner at Farrer & Co LLP. The emails state that Mr Edward Banyard Smith is legal counsel to allegedly deceased individuals who lived and passed away in the United Kingdom. The emails claim that the writer was served with a notice by a financial institution in relation to abandoned investment and was asked to contact immediate or extended family of deceased individuals. The emails claim that the recipient is such an individual.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Farrer & Co LLP and a genuine solicitor called Edward Banyard Smith.  The genuine firm and solicitor use email addresses that end with the domain name '@farrer.co.uk'.

The genuine firm of Farrer & Co LLP has confirmed the emails, used in the aforementioned scam do not belong to the firm.  The genuine solicitor, Edward Banyard Smith, has no connection to the emails referred to in the above alert either.

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.