Alerts

Warning: Website claiming to be for a law firm called 'Freeman Solicitors'

2 August 2024

A website at 'www.freemansolicitors.org' is operating and falsely claiming to be for a law firm called ‘Freeman Solicitors’

What is the scam?

A website at 'www.freemansolicitors.org' is operating and falsely claiming to be a law firm called ‘Freeman Solicitors'.  The website misuses wording taken from the website of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below)

The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors specifically called ‘Freeman Solicitors' (but see below in relation to firms with very similar names).

Any business or transaction through the website 'www.freemansolicitors.org' 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 firm called Freemans Law LLP, which trades as Freemans Solicitors in London. The genuine firm’s website address is www.freemanssolicitors.net and the firm was originally established by a genuine solicitor called Howard Freeman.

Wording from the genuine website of Freemans Law LLP has been misused on the bogus website referred to above. The firm has confirmed that neither the firm nor their genuine Howard Freeman have any connection to the website referred to in the above alert.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a number of other genuine firms with the name Freemans or Freeman appearing in their name, and another genuine solicitor called Howard Freeman, none of whom are believed to have any connection to the website 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.