Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Rebecca Hickman and Addleshaw Goddard LLP

15 February 2024

An email has been sent misusing the name of Rebecca Hickman and Addleshaw Goddard LLP in relation to a supposed unpaid invoice.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent from an individual claiming to be 'Rebecca Hickman,' 'Lawyer/Debt Collection Litigation Counsel' at a Addleshaw Goddard LLP. The email refers to a supposed unpaid invoice and requests that prompt payment is made to avoid any legal action.

The email misuses the name and registered address of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The email was sent using the email address of 'rebeccahickman@addleshawrgoddard.com'. The email domain is very similar to that of the genuine firm's email domain withan additional 'r' inserted between 'Addleshaw' and 'Goddard'.

The email also provided a telephone number of '02032907832'.

Any business or transaction through the email 'rebeccahickman@addleshawrgoddard.com' is not undertaken by a firm or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is a law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA and the Law Society of Scotland. The head office in England is based at Milton Gate, 60 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4AG. The genuine telephone number is 02076064390. The genuine email domain of the firm ends with @addleshawgoddard.com.

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Rebecca Hickman who is a Partner at the London office of Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

The genuine firm of Addleshaw Goddard LLP and the genuine Rebecca Hickman have confirmed that they do not have connection to the email domain 'addleshawrgoddard.com’.

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.

Related SRA scam alerts

• Email misusing the name of Rebecca Hickman and Addleshaw Goddard LLP
• Emails falsely claiming to be from Rebecca Hickman of Addleshaw Goddard LLP

More information

Update 9 May 2024

The SRA has been informed that further emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Rebecca Hickman of Addleshaw Goddard LLP in relation to supposedly unpaid invoices.

The emails were sent using an email address of 'rebeccahickman@addleshawmgoddard.com' which is similar to firm legitimate domain addleshawgoddard.com (an additional m inserted between 'Addleshaw' and 'Goddard').

Any business or transaction through the above email domain 'addleshawmgoddard.com' is not undertaken by a genuine solicitor authorised or regulated by the SRA.