Scammers misuse Marc Etherington’s name and Raydens Limited details on TikTok
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued a warning after a TikTok account was created, misusing the name and details of a genuine solicitor and law firm.
The alert concerns a social media account operating under the username ‘@thefamiilylawsolicitor’, which includes an additional letter in the word family. The account is reported to have reused content published by a genuine solicitor but is not connected to him or his firm.
According to the SRA, the account misuses the identity of Marc Etherington, a solicitor regulated by the SRA, and the details of Raydens Limited, which trades as Rayden Solicitors.
The regulator has been informed that the TikTok account provides the telephone number 07480 044228. A member of the public reportedly contacted that number via WhatsApp and communicated with an individual claiming to be called “Marc”. The individual allegedly provided bank details and requested payment for legal services.
The SRA has confirmed that any business or transactions conducted through the TikTok account or the 07480 044228 number are not undertaken by an SRA authorised firm or individual.
The regulator also confirmed that it authorises and regulates Marc Etherington and Raydens Limited trading as Rayden Solicitors. The genuine TikTok username used by Mr Etherington is ‘@thefamilylawsolicitor’, without the additional letter. His genuine telephone number is 07753 328810.
Both the solicitor and the firm have confirmed that they have no connection to the cloned TikTok account or the telephone number referenced in the warning.
The SRA described the matter as an example of identity cloning, where fraudsters copy the details of legitimate solicitors or firms in order to appear credible and obtain money or personal information.
Members of the public who receive communications claiming to be from the solicitor or firm are advised to carry out their own due diligence. This includes contacting the law firm directly using verified contact details and checking whether a firm or individual is authorised via the SRA’s register.
The regulator also advises that other verification methods, such as checking publicly available company and contact records, may be appropriate depending on the circumstances.
The warning forms part of ongoing efforts to highlight impersonation scams involving the misuse of genuine solicitor identities.