Alerts

Warning: Communications and website misusing the name of Hodnett Legal Services Limited, Claire Hodnett, George Havaris, Barbara Walton and Dave Anthony

9 June 2024

A website is operating misusing the name of 'Hodnett Legal Services Limited'. Emails have also been sent from an individual(s) falsely claiming to be 'Claire Hodnett' and 'George Havaris' regarding the supposed recovery of investment funds.

What is the scam?

A member of the public has been contacted by email by an individual(s) claiming that there had been an attempt by others to divert funds invested with an investment company held in their name. The member of the public was asked to send documents to Hodnett Legal Services Ltd for notarisation and to transfer significant sums of money in connection with the supposed recovery of their investment funds.

The emails appear to have been sent from 'c.hodnett@hodnettlegal.co.uk' and 'g.havaris@hodnettlegal.co.uk'.

There is also a website at 'www.hodnettlegal.co.uk/index' which is operating and misusing the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and genuine solicitors (see below).

The telephone number provided on the website is '07700 162266'. The email addresses provided are 'clients@hodnettlegal.co.uk' and 'info@hodnettlegal.co.uk'.

Any business or transaction through the website at 'www.hodnettlegal.co.uk/index', the telephone number of '07700 162 266' or the email addresses 'clients@hodnettlegal.co.uk' and 'info@hodnettlegal.co.uk' are not undertaken by a firm authorised and regulated by the SRA. Any business or transaction through 'c.hodnett@hodnettlegal.co.uk' or 'g.havaris@hodnettlegal.co.uk' are not undertaken by an individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Hodnett Legal Services Ltd (SRA ID 816423). The telephone number is 07843 088509 and the email domain ends with @hodnettlegalservices.co.uk.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Claire Louise Hodnett (SRA ID 395640), who is currently the owner and director of Hodnett Legal Services Ltd.

The SRA authorises and regulates genuine solicitors called George Thomas Havaris, Dave Anthony and Barbara Veronica Walton and are not thought to have any connection to the genuine firm.

The genuine firm and the genuine solicitors above have confirmed that they have no connection to the emails or website 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.