Fake FCA Emails - Brokers, don’t open these emails


The UK financial regulatory entity FCA warns the investors against fake FCA emails circulating in thousands of e-mailboxes. The FCA asks the market participants to not open these emails. What are the frauds' intentions to send out fake FCA emails?

24 March, AtoZForex  The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a warning regarding fake FCA emails. Through this warning, the UK watchdog notifies investors and brokers to not open such emails. However, this is not the first fake FCA email warning this year. Similarly, the UK financial regulator issued the same warning in January 2017.

How to spot the fake FCA emails?

According to the recent FCA warning, many market participants have received an email that appears to be from fca.updates@fca.org.uk or webmaster@fca.org.uk. Here you can see that the domain “fca.org.uk” resembles exactly with the FCA website URL. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the recipients to identify the authenticity of the email. However, the scammers create email addresses with such domain using special software to make the email appear genuine. Taking this into account, the regulatory entity alerts the investors that FCA did not send such email.

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Fake FCA Emails1 Fake FCA emails warning (Click to zoom in)

Also, the frauds send emails from press.office@fca.org.uk with a title/subject as “FCA Regulation 2017”. According to the warning, the investors should make a note that this email also was not sent by the FCA. Therefore, the financial regulator strongly advises that recipients should delete such emails without opening them. Moreover, the FCA warns the investors by saying:

“An email which appeared to be sent from webmaster@fca.org.uk and an email entitled "FCA Regulation 2017" which appeared to be from press.office@fca.org.uk were also not sent by the FCA. Recipients should again delete these emails without opening.”

Frauds' hidden intentions behind sending fake FCA emails

Let me explain to you how these fake emails work. The fraudsters sent numerous of emails containing a link and invite the recipients to click the link that appears to drop them to the regulator’s website. When the recipients click on such link, unfortunately, they are directed to a fake website where they are asked to feed some personal information. In this manner, the scammers steal sensitive information which they use to commit frauds.

Things you should avoid if you receive a fake email

  • Keep yourself away from clicking any links in the scam email.
  • If you have clicked on a link, please remember that you do not supply any personal information on the directed website.
  • Refrain from replying to such email and do not try to contact the senders of the email.
  • Don't open any attachments in the email.

In case you have provided your bank details and/or have been a victim of losing money because of fraudulent misuse of your cards, we advise you to immediately contact your concern bank.

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