Investment scams are one of the many ways criminals try and steal your money. They try to convince you to invest in a scheme, shares, or commodities, which either don’t exist, or aren’t worth the money paid for them. These scams are becoming increasingly common and can take a variety of forms, so it's really important you know how to spot them.
A firm needs to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK or the equivalent regulator in your country to promote or advise on the sale of shares and other investments. Some fraudsters claim to represent authorised firms or even try to change firms’ contact details on the register to appear genuine.
This occurs when fraudsters contact a previous investment fraud victim and offer to recover their lost investment, usually in exchange for an advance fee. Therefore, if you've been a victim of investment fraud you should remain vigilant with future approaches offering investments as they will more than likely be a scam.
Receive a call from someone you don’t know, who seems to know a lot about you. This doesn't mean they're who they say they are. If you're not sure, hang up the phone!
You may be promised a discount if you invest by a certain date however don't let this pressure you. Always think it through carefully and seek independent advice.
Ads that pop up while you’re browsing the internet, offering investments with well-known banks and asking you to fill out a form. Always contact the bank directly.
If you're planning on investing, it's really important you follow our advice below to help protect yourself from scams.
Seek reputable, independent financial advice before you commit to an investment. Never take advice from the company that contacted you directly.
Before you hand over money ensure the firm you use is on the FCA Financial Services Register or the equivalent register in your country and is allowed to give financial advice. You should also verify any contact details via the register too. If they're not on here, or the details don't match, it's likely a scam.
Check the FCA list of unauthorised businesses which is updated regularly, or a similar list issued by your country’s regulator. They list businesses believed to be involved in fraudulent activities. You can also carry out further scam checks on this website.
Be cautious of all unexpected calls, emails, and text messages. Don’t assume they’re genuine, even if the person seems to know a lot about you or your previous investments.
If you think you've handed money or personal details over to a scammer, we're here to help. It's important you contact us straight away.
Identity theft is when a fraudster steals your personal information to impersonate you, open accounts, obtain credit or set up businesses.
A fraudster encouraging someone with access to their pension to move funds, where the money may be lost or unreasonably charged.
Criminals pretend to be a trusted organisation, may say your account is at risk and ask you to move your money to a ‘safe account’.
