Warning - do not use wolstenholmes solicitors

distraught

Last week we had a cheque from Wolstenholmes Client Account to refund our deposit money paid to them in anticipation of completion. Today we have found out that the cheque has not cleared through the bank! Needless to say we are devastated at this news. Have tried to contact Wolstenholmes but they are not answering the phone and emails are unanswered.

Complaint already lodged with Legal Complaints and have spoken with them again today. Awaiting a call back from them.

We have also been trying to retrieve our file from Stirling Law in Oldham for four days now. They keep promising to ring us back but dont. Managed to speak to someone this morning who again has promised to ring me back. Asked them about Wolstenholmes and they categorically stated that they have nothing to do with Wolstenholmes, they have just been passed files to sort out and complete!!

Can anyone offer any advice?

KB1_2

distraught wrote: »

Last week we had a cheque from Wolstenholmes Client Account to refund our deposit money paid to them in anticipation of completion. Today we have found out that the cheque has not cleared through the bank! Needless to say we are devastated at this news. Have tried to contact Wolstenholmes but they are not answering the phone and emails are unanswered.

Complaint already lodged with Legal Complaints and have spoken with them again today. Awaiting a call back from them.

We have also been trying to retrieve our file from Stirling Law in Oldham for four days now. They keep promising to ring us back but dont. Managed to speak to someone this morning who again has promised to ring me back. Asked them about Wolstenholmes and they categorically stated that they have nothing to do with Wolstenholmes, they have just been passed files to sort out and complete!!

Can anyone offer any advice?

If the cheque issued from client account funds has been declined and you are unable to contact Wolstenholmes I suggest you contact to the police immediately.

FraudBuster

Bump..................

WDJD0412

BRUCER2244 wrote: »

Please give me the telephone number you contacted Imran Hussain on i am anxious to read him his horoscope in relation to £450 and the deeds to my property.

Imran Hussain 0161 4981659....best of luck! :mad:

distresses

:mad:

WDJD0412 wrote: »

Imran Hussain 0161 4981659....best of luck! :mad:

If you manage to get him ask about our deposit money as our chq has not cleared........ and we are now without a deposit..... distraught and distresses.

moongate

Hi All, just an update for you. On Monday, a lady from Leeds came down on the train to try and collect her files. She had to stand outside for over 6 hours as WH have closed all their doors and would only send someone down to answer the side door, leave you outside and disappear to try and locate your file. Yesterday around 40 people had gathered outside and WH called the police to disperse them. Yesterday Imran Hussain was not in the office at all and Helen Murgatroyd was not answering her mobile or her home phone. A member of WH staff was in to try and do some completions but he had no accounts staff in, so was probably unable to do any. He also mentioned that WH had got rid of all the files to other solicitors - this has been done without your consent. Usually you would have to sign to agree for another solicitor to take over your file. Anyway, WH are still planning to carry on in business after the new year, but i don't think they are planning to carry on with online conveyancing. I know loads of you have contacted the SRA, but obviously they have not done anything, as of yet. They have known about this situation for many months now and have still not intervened. Maybe the papers are now a way forward!! if anyone has any contacts then bombard them, the last thing they will want is the national press to get hold of this and get it into the open. One paper, a couple of years ago, did a piece on the dialamobile scam (two owners from WH were involved in this), can't remember which one, it was either the mail or mirror. Anyway good luck everyone and if i hear anything or see anymore, i will let you know.

cakinwande

I have contacted the Daily Mirror. They will be calling me back today. I have highlighted this forum to them, hopefully we can get somewhere.

distraught

Why has the SRA and LCS not intervened and how can Wolstenholmes carry on trading in the New Year if they cannot clear cheques from their Client Accounts? We have no way of raising our deposit again. No response as yet to calls and emails to Wolstenholmes and Imran Hussain. How can they treat honest, hardworking people like this.

Distraught

cakinwande

The SRA and LCS have had "an overwhelming number of calls" to investigate Wolstenholmes. They cannot disclose what they are actually doing but they tried to rest assure me that something is being done. They advised me to call back every few days to see if they can give me an update but they cannot disclose any information that my jeopordise their investigation which is understandable.

As long as you all have made a complaint to SRA and LCS then you are following the correct proceedure. Some of us have contacted Watchdog and thanks to moongate I found out The Mirror did the story on the Dial-A-Phone scam. There is strength in numbers guys

jockey74

KB1 wrote: »

Can I ask if the estate agent will take legal proceedings against you or Wolstenholmes? If it is you, take legal advice immediately on this matter.

No the contract is between me and the Estate agents. They have been informed all the way through but want the money before year end. They could have been charging interest on the unpaid bill but haven't. I have already been in touch will all the relevant agencies and took legal advise. And this is going to be slow and unpleasant to try and get the money back.