Alerts

Warning: Trademark emails misusing the name of Ralph Charles Thomas

10 April 2026

Emails regarding purported intellectual property protection matters have been sent, misusing the name of the genuine solicitor Ralph Charles Thomas.

What is the scam?

Email correspondence has been sent to businesses, misusing the name of a genuine solicitor (see below).

The correspondence informs the recipients that a third party has approached them to register the name and logo of the recipient's business, seeking exclusive rights to their company name. The correspondence invites the recipient to secure trademark registration of their company name first and offers to assist with this process.

The email correspondence seen by the SRA misuses the name and SRA number of a genuine solicitor. The correspondence seen was sent from the email address 'ralph@ralphcharlesthomaslegal.com', quotes the firm name 'Ralph Charles Thomas Legal’ and the website address 'ralphcharlesthomaslegal.com'.

Any business or transaction through the above email, firm name and website address is not undertaken by a firm or solicitor authorised and regulated by the SRA.

The SRA does not authorise or regulate a firm of solicitors with the name 'Ralph Charles Thomas Legal'.

Is there a genuine firm or person?

The SRA authorises and regulates a genuine solicitor called Ralph Charles Thomas (SRA number 483265).

Ralph Charles Thomas is believed not have any connection to the correspondence 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.