Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Sarah Louise Crowther and DAC Beachcroft LLP
5 September 2024
Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Sarah Louise Crowther and DAC Beachcroft LLP.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been advised that fraudulent emails have been sent, falsely claiming to be from Sarah Louise Crowther of DAC Beachcroft LLP.
The emails requested payment of an outstanding invoice.
The emails were sent from 'sarahcrowther@dacbeachcroftlaw.com'.
The emails misuse the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).
The emails also misuse the name of a solicitor at the firm (see below).
Any business or transaction through the domain '@dacbeachcroftlaw.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 firm's genuine email domain ends in '@dacbeachcroft.com' (the word 'law' does not appear in the firm's genuine email domain).
The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Sarah Louise Crowther who is a solicitor at the firm.
The genuine firm of solicitors has confirmed that neither the firm not Sarah Louise Crowther 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.