Bogus firms

Solicitors need to be on their guard against identity theft as they could be held liable even where it’s not their fault, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned. It advises firms who find themselves targeted to immediately contact the SRA and their insurers and consider legal action, such as an injunction to freeze assets or stop misleading statements.

David Middleton, SRA executive director, says: “Firms are at risk because even if they are said to be the victim of the fraud, they could be held liable for breach of trust in paying away mortgage monies.”

See further www.sra.org.uk/identitytheft.