Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Melanie Brockbank of Moss Solicitors LLP

21 June 2024

Clients have been contacted and provided with alternative banking details.

What is the scam?

Emails have been sent to clients falsely claiming to be from a fee earner at a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The SRA understands that the emails were sent to residential conveyancing clients and were an attempt at payment diversion fraud.

The emails were sent from the email address 'm.brockbank@moss-solicitors.uk'.

Any business or transaction through the email address 'm.brockbank@moss-solicitors.uk' is not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Moss Solicitors LLP. The email domain used by the firm is '@moss-solicitors.co.uk' (note the '.co.uk').

The genuine firm of Moss Solicitors LLP employs a Licensed Conveyancer called Melanie Brockbank.

The genuine firm of Moss Solicitors LLP has confirmed that neither it, nor Melanie Brockbank 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.