Warning: Fake FCA communications

Here's a wordier version of the article, focusing on clarity and emphasis:

Be Wary of Scammers Impersonating the FCA

Criminals will go to great lengths to steal your personal information, and sometimes they might even pretend to be from a legitimate organization like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

How Scammers Try to Trick You

• Fake Contact: You may receive an email, letter, or phone call from someone claiming to be an FCA representative. They might use an employee's name, our logo, or even images from our website to make their communication appear genuine. In some cases, they might even claim to be from the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the previous regulator for financial services in the UK.
• Rare FCA Contact: While uncommon, the FCA may occasionally contact you if they believe you could:
  • Assist with an investigation.
  • Be a victim of financial crime.
  • In these situations, the FCA may request some personal details, including your contact information. However, if you're unsure about the caller's identity, you can always verify it by contacting us directly at 0800 111 6768. Our team is happy to wait while you confirm.

Red Flags for Fake FCA Communication

Be on the lookout for these signs that an email, letter, or phone call might not be from the FCA:

• Suspicious Contact Information: Phone calls could be from a mobile or overseas number. Email addresses might come from free services like Hotmail, Outlook, or Gmail.
• Poor Communication: Communication may contain spelling mistakes or bad grammar.
• Deceptive Websites and Social Media: Fraudsters might create fake websites or social media accounts that closely resemble the FCA's official channels.
  • Here are our official social media accounts:
    • Facebook (ScamSmart): [LINK facebook com fcascamsmart]
    • LinkedIn: [LINK fca linkedin ON linkedin.com] & [LINK fca transforming culture ON linkedin.com]
    • Twitter: [LINK twitter thefca ON twitter.com] & [LINK twitter fcacymru ON twitter.com]
    • YouTube: [LINK thefcatv youtube ON youtube.com]
    • Instagram: @financial.conduct.authority
  • We also use TikTok, Snapchat, and Reddit occasionally for campaigns and advertisements. If you encounter any other social media accounts claiming to be from the FCA, it's likely a scam.
• Misleading Emails: The FCA only sends emails from addresses ending in "@fca.org.uk." While we have measures in place to prevent email address spoofing, scammers may use similar addresses to make their emails seem legitimate. If you receive a suspicious email, delete it immediately without opening it.
• Fake Websites: Fraudsters may create fake websites that mimic the FCA's official website. They might even alter our warning pages to make it appear that fraudulent companies are FCA-authorized. These cloned websites can be very convincing, often copying links and contact information from our genuine website.
  • To ensure a website's legitimacy, always check the address (URL) displayed in the address bar at the top of the webpage. If it's the FCA's website, it should always begin with "https://www.fca.org.uk" or "https://register.fca.org.uk/s/" for the Financial Services Register.
• Fake Phone Calls: Scammers can manipulate your caller ID to display our switchboard numbers (020 7066 1000, 0300 500 8082, and 0800 111 6768). This is known as number spoofing.
  • To protect yourself, never give out personal information after receiving an unexpected call, and don't return calls using the contact details provided by the caller. If a call seems suspicious, simply hang up. You can always verify the legitimacy of a call from the FCA by contacting us at 0800 111 6768.

Remember: Scammers may also impersonate other organizations, such as the Financial Ombudsman Service, Financial Services Compensation Scheme, or MoneyHelper.

Stay Vigilant: If you're ever unsure about the legitimacy of a call, email, or text message, never respond until you've confirmed it's genuine. Additionally, be cautious of emails or calls claiming to be from HMRC.