Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Helen Fairhead and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP

5 October 2023

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Helen Fairhead and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent misusing the name of Helen Fairhead and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP in relation to supposed unpaid invoices.

The SRA understands that the emails were sent to individuals in Germany and misused the name and picture of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The email address used to send the emails was 'hfairhead@nortonrosefulbright.onmicrosoft.com'.  

Any business or transactions through the above email address 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 Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. The genuine domain used by the firm is '@nortonrosefulbright.com'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Helen Fairhead who is a Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. Her genuine email address is helen.fairhead@nortonrosefulbright.com.

The genuine firm of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP has confirmed that neither it, nor the genuine Helen Fairhead have any genuine or intended connection with the emails referred to in the above 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.