Alerts
Warning: Email misusing the name of Louise Ball and Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
30 January 2026
An email has been sent falsely claiming to be from Louise Ball of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP in relation to the payment of interest on deposit monies.
What is the scam?
The SRA has been informed that an email has been sent from 'Louise Ball', misusing the names of a genuine solicitor and a firm of solicitors (see below).
The email seen by the SRA requests payment of funds in relation to interest on deposit monies to a fraudulent bank account. The email was sent from the email address 'louise.ball@sheppwedd.com' (note the additional 'p').
Any business or transaction through the email address 'louise.ball@sheppwedd.com' 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 Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP. The firm is also authorised and regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.
The genuine firm uses the email domain @shepwedd.com.
The genuine firm employs a genuine solicitor called Louise Ball.
The genuine firm Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP has confirmed that neither the firm nor the genuine Louise Ball have any connection to the email 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.