Alerts
Warning: Phishing emails falsely claiming to be from Neale Turk LLP
7 April 2024
Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Neale Turk LLP in relation to conveyancing transactions.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent in March 2024 falsely claiming to be from a partner at Neale Turk LLP (see below) relating to conveyancing transactions and transfer of funds.
The SRA understands that some of the emails provided details of bank accounts with no genuine connection to the genuine firm and asked that payments be made into that account.
The emails seen by the SRA appear to be sent from the genuine email address of a partner at the genuine firm and also provide the genuine postal addresses, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses for the genuine firm (see below).
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Neale Turk LLP. Its head office address is Century House, 74 Bounty Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 3BZ and its telephone number is 01256 473013 and fax number is 01256 811647.
The genuine firm also has a branch office at Witton House, 91 Fleet Road, Fleet, GU51 3PJ, which has the telephone number 01252 811070, fax number 01252 811133 and email address fleet@nealeturk.co.uk.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Jonathan Wheeler who is a partner at the genuine firm of Neale Turk LLP. His genuine email address is jwheeler@nealeturk.co.uk.
The genuine firm and its genuine Jonathan Wheeler have confirmed that they had no intended connection to 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.