Alerts
Warning: Email misusing the name of Specter Partnership Limited
12 June 2023
An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Specters Solicitors' in relation to a supposed timeshare.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that a member of the public has received an email from an individual claiming to be called 'William Stewart' from a firm called 'Specters Solicitors'.
The email was sent from the email address 'williamstewart.spectre@legislator.com'. The email title was 'Reynolds/Gareth Williams and related to a 'large-scale fraud targeting timeshare owners' and states that a payment is required before the supposed funds is released.
The email provides the same telephone contact number 0207 097 1372 as referred to in a previous linked alert (see below).
The email misuses the trading name and registered address of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).
Any business or transaction through the telephone number '0207 097 1372' or email address of 'williamstewart.spectre@legislator.com' are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice 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 The Specter Partnership Limited trading as Specters whose registered office address is 49 Britton Street London EC1M 5UL. The genuine telephone number is 020 251 9900. The firm email domain ends with @specters.co.uk.
The SRA authorises and regulates genuine solicitors called Gareth Williams who is a Consultant at The Specter Partnership Limited.
The Specter Partnership Limited has confirmed it does not have any connection to the email referred to in the above alert.
The SRA also authorises and regulates a solicitor called William Stewart who has confirmed that he does not have any 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 (eg. telephone directories and company records) may be required in other circumstances.
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