Alerts

Warning: Instagram account misusing the name of City of London Ltd

14 June 2024

Instagram account misusing the name of City of London Ltd t/a City of London Solicitors

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an Instagram account has misused the name of 'City of London Ltd t/a City of London Solicitors'.

The SRA has been advised that an Instagram account has been created https://www.instagram.com/clsolicitors, falsely claiming to be for a genuine firm of solicitors (see below). It appears that this account has since been removed by Instagram.

Any business or transactions through the Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/clsolicitors is not undertaken by an individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine firm of solicitors called City of London Ltd t/a City of London Solicitors. The genuine firm has advised the SRA that its genuine Instagram account is https://www.instagram.com/clssolicitors

The genuine firm City of London Ltd t/a City of London Solicitors has confirmed that they did not have any connection to the Instagram account 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.