Understanding investment scams

We’re seeing more and more “investment” scams being promoted on social media.

If you've been tricked by a fraudster into sending them money, please get in touch with us via this form as soon as possible.

Here’s a quick rundown of how these scams work: Usually on social media, fraudsters will try to convince you to make an investment by promising really high returns.

They’ll often pressure you to make these payments by saying it’s “a limited time deal” or a “special price.” Sometimes they’ll even use fake celebrity endorsements to make the investment seem more trustworthy.

Legitimate investments don’t get promoted in this way, and they’ll never promise guaranteed profits.

Don’t let anyone rush or pressure you into investing, especially significant amounts of money.

If you’re looking to make an investment, make sure you do your research – even if the recommendation is from a close friend or family member. Check if a company’s registered with the Financial Conduct Authority before investing, and don’t invest if they aren’t.

Get independent advice from a registered financial adviser, who can help you grow your money through legitimate investments.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For more advice on how to keep safe from fraud, we’ve partnered with Take Five, an industry campaign that provides information on how to keep safe from fraudsters.