Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Colin Jones Clarke & Hartland Solicitors

18 June 2024

An email has been sent from the email domain '@cjchs.co.uk' in relation to a deposit payment needed for a property purchase, misusing the name of Colin Jones Clarke & Hartland Solicitors.

What is the scam?

An email has been sent to a member of the public from an individual claiming to be a staff member from ' Colin Jones Clarke & Hartland Solicitors' in relation to deposit payment needed for a property purchase.

The email was sent using the email domain '@cjchs.co.uk'.

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

Any business or transactions through the email domain '@cjchs.co.uk' are 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 genuine firm of solicitors called Colin Jones Clarke & Hartland Solicitors. The genuine firm's head office is at 'Williams House, 11-15 Columbus Walk, Cardiff, CF10 4BY' and telephone number is; 02920483181. The firm's genuine email domains ends with '@cjch.co.uk'. [There is no s after cjch].

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Ffion Barnett.

Colin Jones Clarke & Hartland Solicitors has confirmed they do not have any connection to the email referred to in the above alert (email domain '@cjchs.co.uk').

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.