News Archive - January 2016
Be on your guard!
Like most people, I get my fair share of spam emails trying to obtain my bank details or infect my computer with viruses to obtain financial information. There are also occasional cold calls which attempt to sell me various unsuitable 'investment' schemes. I am well equipped to deal with these calls, but I see increasing numbers of people who have been conned. Sadly, they have little or no chance of getting any of their money back.
There are a few pointers that will help you to avoid being caught out.
However glossy the brochure or website, look for the small print.. A legitimate UK regulated investment will mention the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on its literature. You should also look to see if it is covered by the FSCS - a compensation scheme which can protect your investment if the scheme fails.
Promises of high investment returns are a red flag. Legitimate financial advisers do not cold-call people, and they don't recommend investments on the basis of very high 'guaranteed' returns. If they say they are legitimate, ask for the adviser's full name and the name of the advisory firm and say you want to look them up on the FCA register.
Overseas property and offshore investments are extremely high risk. If any of the following are mentioned as an investment opportunity, just say no.
Shares in unquoted companies, investment in parking spaces, carbon credits, rare earth metals, teak forestry investments, overseas hotels / holiday accommodation (often not yet built), or overseas solar energy. 'Offshore' investments are administered overseas and are not regulated in the UK - this means that you have little or no consumer protection. This is why they are often used by conmen.
If they want to rush you, there's a reason. Scammers are accomplished liars. They want to suck you in and get you to sign up before you have a chance to research or reconsider. They will often want to courier the documents to you to be signed and returned immediately. No proper adviser will pressurise or rush a client into an investment.
It really sickens me to see people who have been misled and conned out of their savings in this way. If you want a second opinion on an investment you are considering, or one you have already taken out, call Mulberry Financial.
The material here is for general information only and is not intended to be relied upon for individual investment decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decisions. Mulberry Financial Ltd does not accept any liability for any loss suffered by any user as a result of any such decision.
The information is based on our understanding of current HMRC rules and practices (as at the news article date) which are always subject to change. Taxation and trust advice and Cash ISAs are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This site is aimed at UK residents only.
Please remember that the prices of shares and other investments can fall sharply. You may not get back the money you originally invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future.
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