Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the names of Katherine Kempster and Vardags Limited

9 September 2024

An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from Katherine (Kate) Kempster and Vardags Limited.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen an email falsely claiming to be from Katherine (Kate) Kempster of Vardags Limited.

The email requests payment of an invoice.

The email was sent from 'kate.kempster@varrdags.com'.

The email misuses the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a genuine solicitor at the firm (see below).

Any business or transaction through the email address 'kate.kempster@varrdags.com', or through any email using the domain '@varrdags.com' (with 'rr' used in the domain name), 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 Vardags Limited.

The firm's genuine email domain ends in '@vardags.com' (with only one 'r' in 'vardags').

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Katherine Kempster who is a solicitor at the firm.

The genuine firm of solicitors has confirmed that neither the firm nor the genuine Katherine Kempster, who is known as Kate Kempster, 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.