Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the names of Emma Croft and 'Thompson Chapman Solicitors'

22 April 2026

Emails misusing the trading name of a genuine firm of solicitors, requesting property purchase deposit monies be sent to an alternative bank account.

What is the scam?

The SRA has seen emails, sent to a member of the public, that falsely purport to be from 'Emma Croft' of 'Thompson Chapman Solicitors', which is the trading name of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The emails seen by the SRA were sent from the email address 'emma.croft@thompsonschapman.co.uk', with an 's' in the middle of the domain name (unlike the genuine firm, see below). The emails also provided a supposed contact number of '0141 794 1897' and misused the genuine fax number and postal address of the genuine firm (see below).

The bogus emails ask the recipient if they can progress with the purchase of a property and states that they will provide the recipient with bank account details to make payment.

Any business or transaction through the email address 'emma.croft@thompsonschapman.co.uk' or through other email addresses using the domain name @thompsonschapman.co.uk, or through the contact number '0141 794 1897', 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 Excel Legal (P.I.) Limited, which trades as Thompson Chapman Solicitors (SRA number 568193). The genuine firm's fax number is 0161 761 5417 and its genuine postal address is 19 Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0ST. Genuine emails from the firm are sent from the domain '@thompsonchapman.co.uk'.

The genuine firm of Excel Legal (P.I.) Limited (trading as Thompson Chapman Solicitors) has confirmed that they employ an Emma Croft as a Conveyancing Assistant, but neither the firm nor their Emma Croft have any genuine connection with the email messages 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.