Alerts
Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Bramsdon & Childs
16 July 2024
Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Hannah Rafferty-Rowe at Bramsdon & Childs in relation to a conveyancing transaction.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been advised that fraudulent emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Hannah Rafferty-Rowe at Bramsdon & Childs.
The bogus emails appear as if they have been sent from the genuine email address of a solicitor at the genuine firm, hr@bramsdonandchilds.com.
The emails requested payments to be transferred to a new bank account for the firm in relation to the purchase of a property.
The emails misuse the name, logo, website, address and telephone number of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
The emails also misuse the name of a solicitor at the firm (see below).
Is there a genuine firm or person?
The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Bramsdon & Childs.
The firm's genuine address for its Bishop's Waltham office is St George's Square, Bishop's Waltham, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 1GJ.
The firm's genuine telephone number for its Bishop's Waltham office is 01489 888 240.
The firm's genuine website is www.bramsdonandchilds.com.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Hannah Rafferty-Rowe who is a partner at the genuine firm.
The genuine firm of solicitors has confirmed that neither the firm nor Hannah Rafferty-Rowe have a genuine and intended 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.