Alerts

Warning: Phishing emails falsely claiming to be from Hugh Jones Solicitors

14 April 2024

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Hugh Jones Solicitors.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from a solicitor at Hugh Jones Solicitors (see below). The fraudulent emails asked the recipient to provide their Microsoft credentials in order to access a document that required a signature.

The SRA understands that the emails appear to have been sent from the genuine email address of a solicitor at the genuine firm.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called Hugh Jones Solicitors. Its address is 2, The Malt House, Deva City Office Park, Trinity Way, Manchester M3 7BD. Its telephone number is 0161 871 6380, its fax number is 0161 839 3884 and its email address is info@hughjonessolicitors.co.uk.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Lashay Williams who is a solicitor at the genuine firm of Hugh Jones Solicitors. Her genuine email address is lashay.williams@hughjonessolicitors.co.uk.

The genuine firm and its genuine Lashay Williams have confirmed that they had no 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.