Alerts
Warning: Emails from 'Legal Access' claiming to be a law firm
31 October 2023
Emails has been sent from 'Legal Access' in connection with a claim to recover funds relating to mis sold artwork.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that a member of the public was contacted by an individual called 'Janice Williams' claiming to be a 'Senior Partner' at 'Legal Access' in connection with a claim to recover funds relating to mis sold artwork.
The emails were sent from two email addresses of 'advice@legal-accessltd.co.uk' and 'services@legal-accessltd.co.uk'. A telephone number of '0208 051 2290' and a postal address of '71-75 Shelton Street London WC2H 9JQ' were also provided.
The SRA understands that contact has also been made by individuals called 'Mark Lansing' and 'Michael E Barrett'.
There was a website at 'www.legal-accessltd.co.uk' operating claiming to be the website for a law firm called 'Legal Access'. This website is no longer active.
The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'Legal Access' (see below for details of genuine firm with similar name).
Any business or transactions conducted through 'Legal Access', or using the emails addresses 'advice@legal-accessltd.co.uk' and 'services@legal-accessltd.co.uk' are 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 and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Legal Access Limited based at 124-128 City Road London EC1V 2NX. The genuine firm does not have an active website. However the domain names www.legalaccessltd.com and www.legalaccessltd.co.uk belongs to the firm. The firm's email domain ends with @legalaccessltd.com. The telephone number for the firm is 07888393039.
The former address for Legal Access Limited was at 71-75 Shelton Street London WC2H 9JQ, until it ceased trading from there on 15 October 2023.
The genuine firm Legal Access Limited has confirmed they do not have any connection to the website 'www.legal-accessltd.co.uk' or the emails that have been sent from 'advice@legal-accessltd.co.uk' and 'services@legal-accessltd.co.uk'.
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.
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