Alerts
Warning: Emails misusing the name of Nicola Cowan of Milburns Solicitors Limited
20 November 2024
Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Nicola Cowan of Milburns Solicitors Limited in relation to a conveyancing transaction.
What is the scam?
Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Nicola Cowan of Milburns Solicitors Limited.
The emails request the payment of a deposit in relation to a property purchase.
The emails were sent from 'ncowan@milburnssolicitor.co.uk'.
The emails misuse the name of a genuine firm of solicitors and the name of a chartered legal executive at the firm (see below).
Any business or transaction through the email address above 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 Milburns Solicitors Limited.
The firm's genuine email domain ends in '@milburnssolicitors.co.uk' (note the 's' at the end of the word 'solicitor').
The SRA also authorises and regulates a chartered legal executive called Nicola Cowan who is a director at the genuine firm.
The genuine firm of solicitors has confirmed that neither the firm nor Nicola Cowan 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.