Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Haworth & Gallagher Solicitors

2 October 2024

Emails have been sent misusing the name of Haworth & Gallagher Solicitors.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent to members of the public misusing the name of a genuine Licensed Conveyancer at a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

It is understood that the emails requested payment to be sent to a bank account which did not belong to the firm.

The emails were sent from the following email addresses: Vanessa.Hughes@hgsolicitors.com, Vanessa.Hughes@hgsolicitorss.com, and Vanessa.Hughes@hgsolicitorss.co.uk.

Any business or transaction through the email addresses Vanessa.Hughes@hgsolicitors.com, Vanessa.Hughes@hgsolicitorss.com, or Vanessa.Hughes@hgsolicitorss.co.uk 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 Haworth & Gallagher Solicitors. The genuine domain used by the firm is '@hgsolicitors.co.uk'.

Vanessa Hughes is a Licensed Conveyancer at Haworth & Gallagher Solicitors and her genuine email address is 'Vanessa.Hughes@hgsolicitors.co.uk'.

The genuine firm has confirmed that neither it nor Vanessa Hughes have any connection to the emails 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.