16 January 2024 - WARNING: Scam email requesting payment
It has come to our attention that some members have received a scam email, purportedly from STEP, stating that their membership payment is overdue and asking them to make payment now to maintain their active status.
This email is a scam email and has not been sent by STEP.
You will see that the sender address in this instance is verify.membership@internet.ru – a Russian domain name. This is not a STEP domain. STEP emails will only come from @step-email.org or @step.org
We are in contact with Wix, the platform through which the email was created, to see if they can assist in tackling this issue.
In the meantime, please do not respond or click on any links, and ensure you report, block and delete these scam emails.
Screenshots of two such emails are below.
7 June 2023 - Warning: False claims on the website for 'White & Partners LLP' regarding STEP membership
The website 'www.whitepartnersukllp.com' features false claims that its employee ‘Edward White’ is a Full STEP Member.
What is the scam?
The website 'www.whitepartnersukllp.com' features false claims that its employee Edward White is a Full STEP Member.
We have received reports from STEP members that they have been contacted by Edward White from White & Partners LLP, who claims to be a STEP member. While STEP does have a member by this name, we are confident that they are not the same individual.
We are also aware that the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned that 'White & Partners LLP’ is falsely claiming to be a law firm. Their alert is here
The SRA does not authorise and regulate a firm of solicitors called 'White & Partners LLP'. Any business or transaction through a firm called 'White & Partners LLP' or any of the contact details above are not undertaken by a solicitors' practice or individual authorised and regulated by the SRA.
What should you do?
If you receive correspondence claiming to be from the above firm or individual, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly. To check if someone is a STEP member, you can use our public Directory or contact us on +44 (0) 203 752 3700. You can also 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.
2018 – Alert: Universal Wealth Preservation/Steven Long
STEP received an unprecedented number of enquiries regarding Mr Steven Peter Long and the companies of which he is a Director, namely Universal Tax Solutions of Dencora House, 34 White House Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5LT, which traded as Universal Wealth Preservation. Associated companies include Universal Asset Protection Ltd and Universal Trustees Ltd.
Universal Asset Protection entered into compulsory liquidation in May 2018, with the business premises of Universal Wealth Preservation having closed several months previously.
We produced a Q&A with details of the situation and actions clients should take in light of this situation. Read the Q&A
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