FCA Warning

FCA - A Warning to Shareholders

Be ScamSmart

Investment scams are designed to look like genuine investments.

Spot the warning signs.

Have you been...

  • contacted out of the blue

  • promised tempting returns and told the investment is safe

  • called repeatedly, or

  • told the offer is only available for a limited time?

If so, you might have been contacted by fraudsters.

Spot the warning signs.

Reject cold calls If you’ve been cold called with an offer to buy or sell shares, chances are it’s a high risk investment or a scam. You should treat the call with extreme caution. The safest thing to do is to hang up.

Check the firm on the FS register at www.fca.org.uk/register The Financial Services Register is a public record of all the firms and individuals in the financial services industry that are regulated by the FCA.

Get impartial advice Think about getting impartial financial advice before you hand over any money. Seek advice from someone unconnected to the firm that has approached you.

Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Report a scam

If you suspect that you have been approached by fraudsters please tell the FCA using the share fraud reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/scams, where you can find out more about investment scams. You can also call the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768. If you have lost money to investment fraud, you should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Find out more at www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart