Scams and other frauds
Investment fraud occurs when someone obtains your assets by a deception of some kind. Fraudsters can be articulate and appear financially knowledgeable. They may have credible websites, testimonials and marketing materials.
We have in place robust infrastructure and procedures to combat scams and other frauds, but we encourage you to remain vigilant and patient at all times.
If you have any concerns that a scam or other fraud is taking place, contact us immediately on 020 7283 1117 or email DartCapital.Update@dartcapital.com before you take any action.
Common financial scams
If an investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Scammers will usually call you out of the blue, but contact can also be by email, text message, post, word of mouth or at a seminar or exhibition.
The most common financial scams targeting the public include:
Investment fraudsters will use a variety of techniques including:
- downplaying the risks, or using jargon
- promising extremely high returns
- calling you repeatedly and staying on the ‘phone for a long time
- saying that the offer is only available to you or is highly confidential
How to avoid scams – key steps
- Treat all unexpected calls, emails and text messages with caution.
- Remember criminals are experts at impersonating genuine people and organisations. If you are concerned, take a step back and check that the contact is genuine. Use publicly available telephone numbers and email addresses. Never use contact details provided in the communication.
- Be very suspicious of all unsolicited communications including unsolicited offers to undertake a review of your pension or investments.- It is highly unlikely a reputable firm would make unsolicited phone calls, emails or texts.
- Look out for subtle differences in the communication such as poor grammar, letters replaced with numbers (e.g. S and 5, O and 0), additional words, spelling errors, font changes and check the sender’s email address it will be ever so slightly different to that of the genuine sender.
- Never click on links or attachments in emails received out of the blue.
- Never transfer or withdraw money out of your account if you’re instructed to do so for security reasons.
- Never set up new or change existing payment details without first verifying the request directly with the person or company you’re paying, preferably using existing or publicly available contact details.
- Never download software or let anyone remotely log on to your computer or devices either during or after a cold call.
- Never share passwords or passcodes with another person.
- Never send money to someone you’ve recently met, or someone who’s told you they urgently need you to send money.
- Don’t be pressured into acting quickly.
- Never give out your bank account or credit card details unless you are certain who you are dealing with.
- Only deal with a PRA or FCA-authorised firm: check the Register to see if the firm is registered.
- Double-check the URL and contact details of a firm in case it’s a ‘clone firm’.
- Check the FCA Warning List for unauthorised firms and people or investments to avoid.
- Check your account and statements regularly.
- The PRA and FCA will not contact you directly. If you are in any doubt about the authenticity of contact from the PRA or FCA, contact the FCA’s Consumer Helpline.
If you have been scammed
- Report it: you can report the firm or scam to the FCA by contacting their Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 or using their reporting form. For products FCA doesn’t regulate or if you’ve lost money in a scam, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website.
- Try to stop any transactions: contact the relevant financial services firm e.g. your bank or investment manager, notify them of the scam and see if they can stop any transaction or freeze your account.
- Be wary of future scams: fraudsters are likely to target you again or sell your details to other criminals e.g. an offer to get your money back or to buy back the investment after you pay a fee.
Further information
For more information, please see: