Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Hervey Dickens Limited

19 June 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of Hervey Dickens Limited in relation to a supposed quote for a conveyancing transaction.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent to law firms from an individual claiming to be 'Sadia Deen' in relation to a supposed quote for a conveyancing transaction.

The email was sent using the email address 'sadiadeen@herveydlckens.co.uk'. The email domain is very similar to that of the genuine firm's email domain in that the 'I' in Dickens has been replaced with an 'L'. The email also provides a telephone number of '01322 919579' and a fax number of '01322 427155'.

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

Any business or transaction through the email 'sadiadeen@herveydlckens.co.uk' or the telephone number 01322 919579' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

Hervey Dickens Limited trading as Hervey Dickens Solicitors is a law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA. The genuine telephone number is 01322949579 and the fax number is 01322427155. The genuine email domain is @herveydickens.co.uk. The firm’s SRA ID is 662539.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Sadia Deen who is an employee of Hervey Dickens Limited.

The genuine firm of Hervey Dickens Limited and the genuine Sadia Deen have confirmed that they do not have any connection to the alert above.

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.