Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of DAC Beachcroft LLP

6 November 2024

An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from Andrew Clough at DAC Beachcroft LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that an email has been sent falsely claiming to be from a genuine solicitor at a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email requests payment of an outstanding invoice and states that the firm’s banking details had changed.

The email was sent from the domain '@dacbeachcrofl.com'.

Any business or transaction through the domain '@dacbeachcrofl.com' 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 DAC Beachcroft LLP. The genuine firm uses the domain 'dacbeachcroft.com'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Andrew Clough who is a Partner at DAC Beachcroft LLP.

The genuine firm of DAC Beachcroft LLP has confirmed that neither it, nor its Andrew Clough have any connection to the email referred to in the alert above.

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.