Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Tara Smith of Clyde & Co Limited

25 July 2024

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Tara Smith of Clyde & Co LLP in relation to supposed unpaid invoices.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent to individuals and businesses claiming to be from 'Tara Smith', Partner at Clyde & Co. The emails misuse the name and registered address of a genuine solicitor and a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The emails refer to supposed unpaid invoices for legal/professional services and request settlement of the invoices to avoid escalation of the matter.

The emails were sent from the email addresses tara.smith@clydecopartners.onmicrosoft.com and t.smith@clydescopartners.onmicrosoft.com. Neither of these email addresses belong to the genuine firm or genuine solicitor.

Any business or transaction through tara.smith@clydecopartners.onmicrosoft.com or t.smith@clydescopartners.onmicrosoft.com 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 of solicitors called Clyde & Co LLP.

Tara Smith is a Partner at Clyde & Co LLP. Her correct email address is tara.smith@cydeco.com.

Clyde & Co LLP has confirmed that neither it nor Tara Smith have any 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.