Veritas Solicitors warns the public after scammers used its identity on a fraudulent website
Veritas Solicitors has issued a warning to clients and the wider public after discovering a fraudulent website that misused the Manchester firm’s identity to mislead consumers seeking help with housing disrepair claims. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) released a scam alert on 26 November, confirming that the unauthorised website had improperly used the firm’s SRA ID and the name of its managing partner, Faraz Fazal.
The website, operating under the domain housingdisrepairclaims.uk, presented itself as a legitimate provider of legal services in the housing disrepair sector. According to the SRA, it falsely suggested an association with Veritas Solicitors while also claiming links to a fictitious legal practice named “Fountain Finances Solicitors LLP,” which is not authorised or regulated by the SRA.
Mr Fazal said he was alarmed by the discovery and condemned the use of the firm’s identity. He described the website as a deliberate attempt to mislead potentially vulnerable individuals by posing as a regulated law firm. He added that Veritas Solicitors would defend its name vigorously and take every necessary step to prevent the unauthorised use of its materials. He emphasised that protecting clients and colleagues remained the firm’s highest priority and thanked the SRA for alerting them to the issue.
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The managing partner noted that impersonation scams of this nature had become increasingly common and that the firm had experienced similar incidents in the past. He made clear that “Fountain Finances Solicitors” was not and had never been connected to Veritas Solicitors. He said the firm had spent many years building its reputation as a specialist in housing disrepair, making it particularly disappointing to see scammers exploit that standing to target the public.
Veritas Solicitors has urged anyone seeking legal assistance to verify communications through its official website and report any suspicious activity immediately. The firm advised clients to check the authenticity of any legal contact claiming to act on its behalf and to remain cautious of online platforms offering legal services without clear regulatory information.
The SRA’s alert aims to ensure that members of the public are aware of the fraudulent website and understand the importance of confirming that any legal services they engage with are provided by an authorised and regulated firm. Scam warnings of this kind are issued when the regulator identifies misuse of firm or solicitor details that could expose individuals to financial or personal risk.
In its response, Veritas Solicitors reiterated its commitment to safeguarding clients and maintaining the integrity of its professional identity. The firm said it is taking immediate steps to address the misuse and prevent further attempts to impersonate its services. It emphasised that vigilance from the public plays an essential role in identifying and reporting fraudulent representations of regulated legal practices.