Alerts

Warning: Stamped documents misusing the name of Forsters LLP

20 March 2025

Tenancy agreements have been stamped misusing the name of Forsters LLP.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been advised that tenancy agreements have been sent to energy companies with a stamp purporting to be from a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The false stamp seen by the SRA misuses the genuine firm's name and carries the full name of the firm in larger letters at the top of the stamp. It also provides an address of '31 Hill St, London, W1J 5LS' which was an old address for the genuine firm.

Any business or transactions through the address of '31 Hill St, London, W1J 5LS' is 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 Forsters LLP. The genuine firm's head office address is 22 Baker Street, London, W1U 3BW.

The genuine firm of Forsters LLP has confirmed that its genuine stamp has its name and address at the bottom of the stamp, and it does not have any genuine connection to the stamp or documents 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.