Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Louise Pritchard Hill and Addleshaw Goddard LLP
25 September 2024
Emails have been sent misusing the name of Louise Pritchard Hill and Addleshaw Goddard LLP in relation to a supposed unpaid invoice.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent from an individual claiming to be 'Louise Pritchard,' at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, claiming to chase an unpaid invoice.
The emails misuse the name and registered address of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).
The emails were sent using the email domain of 'addleshawsgoddards.co.uk' which is very similar to the legitimate domain of the genuine firm (an additional "s" has been inserted between "Addleshaw" and "Goddard", an additional "s" following "Goddard", and a 'co.uk' domain instead of '.com').
Further emails were sent using the domain of 'addleshawsgoddardllp.co.uk', which is very similar to the legitimate domain for the genuine firm (an additional "s" has been inserted between "Addleshaw" and "Goddard", "llp" following "Goddard", and a "co.uk" domain instead of ".com").
Any business or transaction through the email domains of 'addleshawsgoddards.co.uk' and 'addleshawsgoddardllp.co.uk' are not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA and the Law Society of Scotland. The head office in England is based at Milton Gate, 60 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4AG. The genuine telephone number is 02076064390. The genuine email domain is @addleshawgoddard.com.
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Louise Pritchard Hill, who practises as Louise Pritchard and is a Partner of Addleshaw Goddard LLP.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP and the genuine Louise Pritchard Hill (Louise Pritchard) 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.
More information
Update - 27 September 2024
The SRA has been informed that a further email has been sent from the email domain 'addleshawngoddards.com' in relation to a supposed unpaid invoice. The email domain is very similar to that of the genuine firm however an additional 'n' has been inserted between Addleshaw and Goddard and an additional 's' has been inserted after Goddard.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP has confirmed that neither it nor Louise Pritchard Hill have any connection to the email domain 'addleshawngoddards.com'. Please see above for genuine details.
Update - 4 October 2024
The SRA has been informed that a further email has been sent from the email domain addleshawAgoddard.co.uk [an extra A] in relation to a supposed unpaid invoice misusing the name of Louise Pritchard in relation to supposed unpaid invoices.
The SRA has also been made aware of another of 'addleshawgoddardsllp.com'.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP has confirmed that neither it nor Louise Pritchard Hill have any connection to the email domain 'addleshawAgoddard.co.uk' and 'addleshawgoddardsllp.com'. Please see above for genuine details.