Alerts
Warning: Telephone calls and messages falsely purporting to be from Richardson Hartley Law (also T/A National Fraud Helpline)
16 June 2026
Telephone calls have been made to members of the public, misusing the name of a genuine firm of solicitors called Richardson Hartley Law (also T/A National Fraud Helpline).
What is the scam?
The SRA has been advised that telephone calls have been made to members of the public, misusing the name of a firm of solicitors called Richardson Hartley Law, T/A National Fraud Helpline. We are informed that the calls either falsely claim to be from the genuine firm (see further information below) or falsely claim to be from a company that is "working with" the genuine firm.
We understand that the calls are known to have been made from telephone numbers that include the following numbers:
- '07451 255084'
- '07471 722549'
We are also informed that 'Telegram' messages have also been sent to members of the public by someone falsely claiming to be from Richardson Hartley Law, using the handle @MartinRichardson8130 and misusing the name of a genuine partner at the genuine firm (see below).
Any business or transaction through the above telephone numbers is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor's firm named Richardson Hartley Law (also T/A National Fraud Helpline) (SRA ID 8006675). The genuine firm uses the email / website domains of @rhlaw.co.uk and @nationalfraudhelpline.co.uk. The genuine head office telephone number of the firm is 0808 189 4476 (as Richardson Hartley Law) and 0808 303 0178 (as National Fraud Helpline).
Richardson Hartley Law (also T/A National Fraud Helpline) has confirmed that they have no connection to the contact details mentioned in the alert above.
Martin Richardson is a genuine solicitor and senior partner at the firm. The genuine firm has confirmed that it does not correspond via 'Telegram' and the profile referred to in the above alert has no genuine connection to the firm or to the genuine Martin Richardson.
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.