Worried that you've been targeted?
If you think you've been the victim of any scam, it's important to call us as soon as possible.
Call 03 456 100 100 (Lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year).
You are in section Home Help Security centre Fraud awareness Investment scams | first direct Current Page
Investment scams
-
What is an Investment (boiler room) scam?
People invest in stocks and shares every day. Scammers often play on investors’ willingness to take risks to sell appealing schemes and funds that are either worthless, overpriced or fake.
Investment scams can start with a cold call, an email or even an ad in a magazine. The scammers may offer you an attractive deal on new shares, a report on a fund you already invest in, or a share dealing discount. These tactics are also called ‘boiler room’ scams, as criminals will often pressure you into investing.
People invest in stocks and shares every day. Scammers often play on investors’ willingness to take risks to sell appealing schemes and funds that are either worthless, overpriced or fake.
Investment scams can start with a cold call, an email or even an ad in a magazine. The scammers may offer you an attractive deal on new shares, a report on a fund you already invest in, or a share dealing discount. These tactics are also called ‘boiler room’ scams, as criminals will often pressure you into investing.
-
How to spot the signs
- someone unexpectedly contacts you with an attractive investment offer
- you’re shown professional-looking brochures, websites and certificates that add credibility
- the opportunity is almost too good to be true
- you feel pressurised into making rushed decisions.
- someone unexpectedly contacts you with an attractive investment offer
- you’re shown professional-looking brochures, websites and certificates that add credibility
- the opportunity is almost too good to be true
- you feel pressurised into making rushed decisions.
-
How to stay safe
- never take up offers of investments on the spot from cold calls
- don’t trust something you have found on the internet without checking it out
- take a moment to read the Financial Conduct Authority’s ScamSmart warning list Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]
- don’t share your bank account details or security details
- it’s illegal in the UK to cold call about investment opportunities, so if someone does, it’s highly likely to be a scam
- make sure elderly family members and vulnerable people Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] know how to spot bogus investments. Boiler rooms typically target people over 65.
- never take up offers of investments on the spot from cold calls
- don’t trust something you have found on the internet without checking it out
- take a moment to read the Financial Conduct Authority’s ScamSmart warning list Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]
- don’t share your bank account details or security details
- it’s illegal in the UK to cold call about investment opportunities, so if someone does, it’s highly likely to be a scam
- make sure elderly family members and vulnerable people Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] know how to spot bogus investments. Boiler rooms typically target people over 65.