Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Laura Lintott of Watson Farley & Williams LLP

8 February 2024

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Laura Lintott and the firm of Watson Farley & Williams LLP

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent to members of the public falsely claiming to be 'Laura Lintott' at 'Watson Farley & Williams LLP'.

The email seen by the SRA has requested for a payment to be made in relation to a new acquisition. The email provided a company registration number which was not that of the genuine firm. The email also misused the email footer and the address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transaction through the email addresses of 'info@llintott.com' and 'lauralintott@protonmail.com' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Watson Farley & Williams LLP. The genuine firm's branch office address is 15 Appold Street, London EC2A 2HB. The firm's email domain is '@wfw.com'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Laura Lintott and her SRA ID is 413244. The genuine solicitor is an employee at the genuine firm.

The genuine firm has confirmed that it and Laura Lintott does not have any genuine and intended connection to 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.