Alerts
Warning: Correspondence and website claiming to be for 'Ashfords Partners'
16 April 2024
Correspondence and website at ‘www.ashfordspartners.com’ claiming to be for 'Ashfords Partners'.
What is the scam?
Letters have been sent to members of the public in relation to a 'permanent life insurance policy', for a 'deceased client' who apparently had the same surname as the recipient of the letter. The letter seen by the SRA claims to be from 'James Ashford'. The letter provides the email addresses 'info@ashfordspartners.com' and 'john@ashfordjohnllp.com' and the telephone number is '+44 745 221 4039' and the website www.ashfordspartners.com'. The letter also gives the postal address for a number of genuine firms of solicitors (see below).
The SRA has also been advised that emails are subsequently sent to the recipients of the letters.
The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor called James Ashford.
Any business or transaction through a solicitor claiming to be called 'James Ashford', the website 'www.ashfordspartners.com', the email addresses 'info@ashfordspartners.com', 'john@ashfordjohnllp.com' or the telephone number '+44 745 221 4039' is 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 firm of solicitors called Ashfords LLP. Its head office address is Ashford House, Grenadier Road, Exeter, EX1 3LH.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a number of genuine firms of solicitors which has offices at 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4RB. None of these are thought to have any connection to the correspondence and website referred to above.
The genuine firm of Ashfords LLP has confirmed it has no connection to the correspondence or website 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.
More information
Update 16 May 2024
The SRA has been informed that further correspondence has been sent to a member of the public from an individual called 'John Ashford' claiming to be a Partner at 'Ashford Partners' in relation 'permanent life insurance policy', for a deceased client with the same surname as the recipient of the letter.
This letter provides a postal address of '280 Bishopgate London EC2M 4RB' and provides another email address of 'James@jamesashfordp.com'.
Any business or transaction through the above email 'James@jamesashfordp.com' or 'Ashford Partners' or 'Ashford Partners' claiming to be trading at the above address is not undertaken by a genuine solicitor authorised or regulated by the SRA.