Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of 'Alan Baker' and 'Farrer & Co LLP'

8 March 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of 'Alan Baker' and refers to 'Farrer'.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent which falsely purports to have been sent by 'Alan Baker' (see below).

The email seen by the SRA refers to a 'Financial Regulation Agreement'.

The email was sent from the email address 'Alanbaker.farrer@gmail.com'.

Any business or transaction through the email address of 'Alanbaker.farrer@gmail.com' on behalf of 'Farrer & Co LLP' is not authorised is not undertaken by a genuine firm or solicitor.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Farrer & Co LLP which uses the domain name '@farrer.co.uk'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Alan Baker who is employed by the genuine Farrer & Co LLP.

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it, nor its genuine Alan Baker have any 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.