Alerts

Warning: Email misusing the name of Dunn and Co.

13 February 2025

An email has been sent from a 'John Brandt,' misusing the name of Dunn & Co.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent from a 'John Brandt', misusing the name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The email seen by the SRA advises the recipient that they owe an outstanding balance of £25,000 and urges them to settle the balance promptly to avoid legal action. The email has been sent from the email address 'johnbrandt.law@gmail.com'.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor by the name of 'John Brandt'.

Any business or transaction through the email address 'johnbrandt.law@gmail.com' is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a firm of solicitors called Dunn & Co. Stephen Dunn is the sole practitioner at the firm. The genuine email address used by the firm is SDunnlaw@aol.com. 

The genuine firm of Dunn & Co has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the email 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.