Alerts

Warning: Email has been sent to a client misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)

18 March 2024

An email has been sent to a client misusing the name of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited (CEL Solicitors)

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that an email has been sent from an individual called 'Emma Collins' claiming to be a 'Financial Specialist' in the 'Recovery Department' from a genuine firm of solicitors in relation to a supposed unclaimed investment funds.

The email was sent using an email address of 'emmacollins@celsolicitors.io' and provides a telephone number of '+442080892146'.

The email misuses the name, address and website address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

Any business or transactions through 'emmacollins@celsolicitors.io' is not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited trading as CEL whose address is 12th Floor, 20 Chapel Street, Liverpool, L3 9AG. The telephone number is 01519098212. The website is at www.celsolicitors.co.uk and the email domain used by the firm is @celsolicitors.co.uk.

The genuine firm of Cheshire Estate & Legal Limited has confirmed that they do not have any connection with the email referred to in the above alert and they do not employ a staff member called Emma Collins.

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.