Alerts

Warning: Emails sent falsely purporting to be from Cook & Talbot Limited

30 July 2025

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Vicky Noren-Dobson from the genuine firm of solicitors Cook & Talbot Limited.

What is the scam?

The SRA have been informed of an issue whereby an individual was contacted from the email address 'Vicky.NorenDobson@cookandtalbot.co.uk' in relation to a residential conveyancing matter. The emails seen by the SRA were signed off 'Vicky Noren-Dobson, Conveyancing Assistant' and one email contains fraudulent bank account details for the recipient to transfer funds to.

Vicky Noren-Dobson is a genuine employee of the genuine firm Cook & Talbot Limited (see details below), and the emails originate from her genuine email address which is 'Vicky.NorenDobson@cookandtalbot.co.uk'. However, when the recipient clicks to reply to the email the email address is altered to the fraudulent address 'Vicky.NorenDobson@cookandtalbots.co.uk' (note, the 's' added to the end of the firm's genuine domain @cookandtalbot).

Any business or transaction through the email address or email domain @cookandtalbots.co.uk' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Cook & Talbot Limited. Their genuine email domain is @cookandtalbot.co.uk. The firm’s genuine website is www.cookandtalbotsolicitors.co.uk.

There is a genuine employee of the genuine firm called Vicky Noren-Dobson who is employed as a Conveyancing Assistant at the firm.

The genuine firm of solicitors and the genuine Vicky Noren-Dobson have confirmed that they do not have any genuine connection to the emails seen or the email address described in the 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.