Alerts

Warning: Letter misusing the name of Irwin Mitchell LLP

30 January 2024

A letter has been sent misusing the name of Irwin Mitchell LLP, in relation to a purported online transaction.

What is the scam?

A letter has been sent misusing the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below). The SRA has seen a letter purporting to be from "Harold Smith" in relation to a purported online transaction.

The letter misuses an old letterhead, name and address of a genuine firm and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The email address provided is 'Harold.Smith@irwinmitchellssolicitor.com'. The telephone number is '08431 228141' and the fax number is '0870 238 8126'.

Any business or transactions through the above email address, telephone number and fax number are 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 genuine firm called Irwin Mitchell LLP. Its head office address is Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield, S3 8DT. Its genuine telephone number is 03701500100. The firm's email addresses end with the domain name '@irwinmitchell.com'.

The firm has confirmed it does not have any genuine connection to the letter referred to in the above alert. The firm has also confirmed that it has no employees with the name Harold Smith.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a solicitor called Harold Smith who is not thought to have any connection to the letter 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.