Alerts

Warning: Telephone calls misusing the name of Ben Roden and Gordons LLP

25 July 2025

Telephone calls have been made misusing the name of Ben Roden and Gordons LLP relating to an alleged debt recovery matter.

What is the scam?

The SRA have been informed that telephone calls have been made to a small business purporting to be from 'bailiffs' working on the instructions of a genuine solicitor at a genuine firm of solicitors (see details below). The numbers associated with the calls from the supposed 'bailiffs' are '07783 053 694' and '07598 130 397'.

We understand that the caller falsely claimed that 'bailiffs' would be attending the business's address to enforce a debt obtained in a Magistrates Court. The SRA have been informed that the alleged 'bailiffs' instructed the business to transfer funds to a fraudulent bank account to satisfy the purported debt. It is understood that the caller also falsely claimed that if the monies were paid to the fraudulent bank account, the genuine firm would be able to represent the business in disputing the claim/judgment for free.

The alleged bailiffs also informed the business that they could contact the Magistrates Court on '01603 515 411' to confirm the court judgment and the debt owed. the SRA understands that the contact number provided is false (see genuine details below).

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a solicitor by the name of Benjamin Roden (see below details of genuine solicitor with a similar name).

Any business or transaction undertaken through the above telephone numbers 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 Gordons LLP. The genuine firm's contact number is 03339 875 500 and its website address is 'www.gordonsllp.com'.

The SRA also authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Ben Roden (not Benjamin Roden which was the name used in the scam) whose SRA ID is 457484. The contact number for the genuine Ben Roden is 0113 227 0246 and these contact details can be located on the genuine firm's website (see above).

The genuine contact details for Norwich Magistrates Court (which is the court referred to in the scam) can be located on the government website 'www.find-court-tribunal.service.co.uk'.

The genuine firm of Gordons LLP and the genuine solicitor Ben Roden have confirmed that they have no connection or involvement to the calls referred to in the above alert.

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.