Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Jeremy Hoyland and Simmons & Simmons LLP

19 August 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of Jeremy Hoyland and Simmons & Simmons LLP in relation to a supposed cruise ship holiday.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from a genuine firm of solicitors in relation to a supposed cruise ship holiday and requesting that payment is made for the cruise holiday booking.

The email was sent using an email address of Jeremyhoyland@simmonandsimmons.com'.

The email misuses the name of a genuine solicitor and a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'Jeremyhoyland@simmonandsimmons.com' is not undertaken by a solicitors' practice 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 Simmons & Simmons LLP. The firm email domain ends with @simmons-simmons.com.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Jeremy Hoyland who is a Managing Partner and Solicitor with Simmons & Simmons LLP. The email address above is not the genuine email address of Jeremy Hoyland.

Simmons & Simmons LLP and Jeremy Hoyland have confirmed that they do not have any connection with the email 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.