Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Hutchins & Co

17 July 2024

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Poonam Rawal at Hutchins & Co in relation to a conveyancing transaction.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen emails falsely claiming to be from Poonam Rawal, a Paralegal at Hutchins & Co.

The emails were sent from 'poonam@hutchinlaw.co.uk', requesting the recipient pay deposit funds relating to a residential property purchase to an alternative bank account to that of the genuine firm (see below),

The emails misuse the name, SRA number and website of a genuine firm of solicitors.

Any business or transaction through the email domain '@hutchinlaw.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 Hutchins & Co. Its head office address is 16 Prescot Street, London, E1 8AZ.

The firm's genuine email domain ends in @hutchinslaw.co.uk (with an 's'). Its genuine telephone number is 0208 986 3911 and its genuine website is www.hutchinslaw.co.uk.

The genuine firm of solicitors has confirmed that neither it nor Poonam Rawal have a genuine and intended connection to the email 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.