A Manchester-based solicitors’ firm has strongly criticised would-be fraudsters after discovering that a fake business had been using its name and regulatory details.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) issued a scam alert on Wednesday (26 November) regarding a fraudulent website promoting housing disrepair claims.
The site unlawfully used information belonging to Veritas Solicitors, including its SRA ID and the name of its Managing Partner, Faraz Fazal.
Mr Fazal said: “This was a deliberate, calculated attempt to mislead potentially vulnerable consumers by posing as a regulated law firm. Veritas Solicitors will defend its name vigorously.
“Protecting our clients and colleagues is our highest priority, and we are taking immediate action to stop the unauthorised use of our identity and materials. We are grateful to the SRA for bringing this to light.
“Anyone who believes they may have engaged with this fraudulent entity should report it to us directly so we can assist.”
A second website, using the domain housingdisrepairclaims.uk, also claimed an affiliation with a firm named “Fountain Finances Solicitors LLP”.
The SRA confirmed that no such firm is authorised or regulated. Veritas Solicitors noted that impersonation scams of this kind are increasingly common, and the business has previously reported similar incidents.
“Fountain Finances Solicitors is not a trading name of Veritas Solicitors, nor has it ever been,” Faraz continued. “We have spent years building a trusted name as specialists in housing disrepair, so to see scammers latching onto that reputation is disappointing, but not surprising.”
The firm is urging clients and members of the public to verify all communications through the official Veritas Solicitors website and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
