Attack of the Clones #Investment Fraud

Attack of the Clones #Investment Fraud

Would you be able to recognise a cloned company scam?

We receive hundreds of reports a month from residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who have been tricked by criminals impersonating real firms offering “investment opportunities” including stocks, cryptocurrency and ISA’s.

How to protect yourself

Reject unsolicited investment offers whether made online, on social media, in online messages, over the phone, or by post. Be cautious even if you initiated the first contact.

Always conduct thorough due diligence/research before sharing your personal and/or financial information with anyone.

Always check the Financial Services Register | FCA to confirm the contact details provided to you by the firm. If the website, email and telephone number don't match, don't invest. Look out for subtle differences such as letters replaced with numbers (e.g. S and 5, O and 0), additional words or spelling errors. Make sure you’re dealing with an authorised form, but remember these are public registers which fraudsters can also take information from to sound legitimate.

Check the FCA Warning List of unauthorised firms | FCA of firms to avoid.

Check the FCA’s list of Registered Cryptoasset Firms before investing in crypto

If you have visited a website, you think is suspicious, report it to the National Cyber Security Centre, using their quick and easy reporting tool: Phishing: Spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and... - NCSC.GOV.UK

Seek reputable, impartial advice before investing.

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential support: Home - Hampshire Victim Care Hub (hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk) or phone 0808 178 1641

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) or phone 0800 555 111

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Action Fraud either phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: Action Fraud

If a crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately.

Otherwise, report online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team

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Fraud Safeguarding Team
(Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Fraud Safeguarding Officers, Hampshire and Isle of Wight)