Alerts

Warning: Emails misusing the name of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP

26 February 2025

Emails have been sent falsely claiming to be from Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP in relation to supposed unpaid invoices.

What is the scam?

The SRA has been informed that emails have been sent from 'Michelle Stafford' and 'Michelle Crowther', misusing the name and postal address of a genuine firm of solicitors (see below).

The emails seen by the SRA request payment of a supposed outstanding invoice and are signed off by 'Michelle Stafford' or 'Michelle Crowther' who are referred to as 'Lawyer/ Debt Collection Litigation Counsel'. The emails were sent from the email addresses 'michellestafford@shepherdswedderburn.com' and 'michelle.crowther@shepherdwedderburns.co.uk' and provide a telephone contact number of '02032879329'.

The SRA does not authorise and regulate anyone by the name of 'Michelle Stafford' or 'Michelle Crowther'.

Any business or transaction through the email addresses 'michellestafford@shepherdswedderburn.com', 'michelle.crowther@shepherdwedderburns.co.uk' and the telephone number of '02032879329' 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 Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP. The firm is also authorised and regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.

The genuine firm's London branch office address is Octagon Point, 5 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6AA and telephone number is 020 7429 4900. The genuine firm uses the email domain @shepwedd.com.

The genuine firm Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP has confirmed that it does not have any connection to the above emails and it does not employ members of staff called Michelle Stafford or Michelle Crowther.

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.