Alerts

Warning: Email claiming to be from 'Alton Thorne Esq.' of 'Alan Thorn Solicitors'

16 May 2025

An email has been sent claiming to be from 'Alton Thorne Esq.' of 'Alan Thorn Solicitors'.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent from an individual called 'Alton Thorne Esq.' of 'Alan Thorn Solicitors'.

The email seen by the SRA is in relation to a supposed unclaimed inheritance.

The email was sent from the email address 'alan@alanthornsolicitors.co.uk'.

It is understood that a website may also be operating 'www.alanthornsolicitors.co.uk' which misuses the address for a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

'Alan Thorn Solicitors' may be using the following details:

Address: 84 Salop Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV3 0SR, UK

Telephone: +44 741 860 0320 or +44 741 836 7949

The SRA does not authorise or regulate an individual called 'Alton Thorne Esq.' or a firm of solicitors called 'Alan Thorn Solicitors'.

Any business or transaction through 'Alton Thorne Esq.', 'Alan Thorn Solicitors', 'alan@alanthornsolicitors.co.uk' or 'www.alanthornsolicitors.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 Fentiman Legal Limited, My Law Matters is a trading style of Fentiman Legal Limited. Its head office address is 84 Salop Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0SR.

The genuine firm of Fentiman Legal Limited have confirmed they have no connection to the scam referred to 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.