Recovery

After a fraud, or after an investment that failed, someone may offer to get the money back if you pay a fee first. There is usually no explanation of how, or the explanation is false. They may pretend to be the FCA, or claim to work with the Government, the police or another regulator. They generally want the fee, or a transaction charge, before they do anything.

The people behind the first approach may call again, pretending to be a different firm, or they may sell your details. The contact is often unexpected, and there is pressure to pay quickly. The fee may be called a tax, a solicitor's fee or an admin fee. The second loss can be larger than the first. The websites often look professional, claim a UK presence they do not have, and claim to have recovered money for other people.

Be wary of an unexpected contact about recovering money, of pressure to pay quickly, and of a promise that sounds too good to be true. A fraud report can be shared between law enforcement. It cannot be shared with a private recovery business. If you are asked to pay, or to give a bank account, a card or other financial details, end the contact. Do not pay, and do not hand the details over.

If you have lost money, contact Report Fraud as well as the FCA.

If you are worried about a possible fraud, or think someone has contacted you to defraud you, report it to the FCA on 0800 111 6768 or through its contact form.

If the matter is outside what the FCA regulates, or you have lost money, contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or on the website the FCA links.

Check the firm on the Firm Checker. The firm reference number and the contact details you were given should match. If the Checker has no contact details, or the firm says they are out of date, call 0800 111 6768. Use the address on the Checker, not a link in an email or on a company website.