Alerts

Warning: Emails falsely claiming to be from Rebecca Hickman of Addleshaw Goddard LLP

14 October 2024

Further emails have been sent misusing the name of Rebecca Hickman of Addleshaw Goddard LLP in relation to supposedly unpaid invoices.

What is the scam?

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

The emails were sent from the email domain '@addleshewgoddards.co.uk'. The email domain is very similar to that of the genuine firm (see below) however an 'e' has replaced the 'a' in shaw, an 's' has been inserted following Goddard and a 'co.uk' domain has been used.

Any business or transaction through the email domain 'addleshewgoddards.co.uk' is not undertaken by any individual or firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

Addleshaw Goddard LLP is authorised and regulated by the SRA and by the Law Society of Scotland.

Emails from Addleshaw Goddard LLP end with the email domain @addleshawgoddard.com.

The SRA authorises and regulates a solicitor called Rebecca Hickman who is a partner of Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has confirmed that neither it nor Rebecca Hickman have any connection to the email domain 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.