Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the names of Kelly Brooks and Karen Hodgson of Hadaway & Hadaway Solicitors LLP

30 October 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the names of Kelly Brooks and Karen Hodgson, conveyancers at Hadaway & Hadaway Solicitors LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent to clients of Hadaway & Hadaway Solicitors LLP purporting to be from either Kelly Brooks or Karen Hodgson.

The emails have purportedly been sent from the email accounts kellyb@hadaway.co.uk and karenh@hadaway.co.uk. These email addresses are both authentic email addresses. However, the replies to the emails are diverted to email addresses not associated with the firm. Those being kellyb@hadaways.uk and karenh@hadaways.uk

The emails request payment of funds in relation to conveyancing matters.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Hadaway & Hadaway Solicitors LLP (SRA id 627756).

Hadaway & Hadaway Solicitors LLP has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the emails referred to in this 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.