Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Alan Baker and Farrer & Co LLP

15 July 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of Alan Baker of Farrer & Co.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen an email falsely claiming to be from 'Alan Baker'.

The email is in relation to a supposed investment scam. The email address used to send the email is 'alanbaker.farrer@gmail.com'.

Any business or transaction through the email address 'alanbaker.farrer@gmail.com' 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 number of solicitors called Alan Baker. One of whom is a Partner at Farrer & Co LLP. His genuine email address is Alan.Baker@farrer.co.uk.

The genuine firm of Farrer & Co LLP has confirmed that neither it, nor its genuine Alan Baker have any 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.