Shareholders Alert - Scams
Boiler Room Scams
Over the last couple of years many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters. These are typically from overseas based ‘brokers’ and they can be very persistent and extremely persuasive. A 2006 survey by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has reported that the average amount lost by investors is around £20,000. It is not just the novice investor that has been duped in this way; many of the victims had been successfully investing for several years. Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free reports into the company.
If you receive any unsolicited investment advice:
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Make sure you get the correct name of the person and organisation.
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Check that they are properly authorised by the FSA before getting involved. You can check at www.fsa.gov.uk/register
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The FSA also maintains on its website a list of unauthorised overseas firms who are targeting, or have targeted, UK investors and any approach from such organisations should be reported to the FSA on 0845 606 1234 or by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/consumerinformation so that this list can be kept up to date and any other appropriate action can be considered.
If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you would not be eligible to receive payment under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The FSA can be contacted by completing an online form at
www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/doing/regulated/law/alerts/form.shtml
More detailed information on this or similar activity can be found on the FSA website
www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/consumerinformation