Alerts
Warning: Email correspondence misusing the name of Gavin Davies and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
28 March 2023
Email correspondence has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Gavin Davies' of Herbert Smith Freehills requesting information in relation to outstanding invoices.
What is the scam?
An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from 'Gavin Davies' from 'Herbert Smith Freehills LLP', requesting the client to provide further information in relation to outstanding invoices.
The email seen by the SRA misuses the name, contact details and logo of a genuine firm of solicitors. It also misuses the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).
Any business or transactions through email address domain '@hsf-llp.com' is not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
Is there a genuine firm or person?
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is a genuine law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA. The head office of Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is at Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2EG. The firm’s telephone number is (+44) 207 374 8000 and fax number is (+44) 207 374 0888.
Gavin Davies is a genuine solicitor who is employed at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP uses the email domain name of '@hsf.com' (not 'hsf-llp.com'). The genuine firm's website is herbertsmithfreehills.com.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has confirmed that neither it nor the genuine Gavin Davies has any genuine or intended connection with 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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