People over 56 ‘prime target’ as ‘accounts drained across UK’ | Personal Finance | Finance
UK households are falling prey to ruthless fraudsters who pose as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), stripping people of their savings, warns a money expert.
“One of the most worrying developments we’re seeing right now is fraudsters impersonating the Financial Conduct Authority,” revealed Joe Smithies, a money expert at PennyPlan. “They’re exploiting the trust people naturally have in the regulator to trick them into handing over savings, pensions, and even personal security details.
“In just the first six months of this year, thousands of reports have been filed about FCA impersonation scams. And remember, those are only the cases where people both realised they’d been targeted and came forward. The true scale of the problem will be far larger.”
One group of people most at risk
Smithies highlighted that older people are particularly vulnerable: “Almost two-thirds of reports came from people aged 56 or above. That’s no surprise – this is the age group who are more likely to have access to retirement pots, often their biggest asset, making them a prime target for scammers.”
One of the most common tactics, according to Smithies, involves fake claims about cryptocurrency: “Fraudsters will tell victims the FCA has uncovered a crypto wallet illegally set up in their name and that funds can be recovered. It sounds official, but it’s a complete con.”
Victims of loan scams are another group being ruthlessly exploited. “We’re seeing criminals circle back to people who’ve already lost money in dodgy loan deals. They then pretend to be the FCA, offering to help recover those funds, but it’s just another way of draining victims’ accounts,” Smithies warned.
New strategies
Smithies revealed a newer strategy involving fake legal threats: “Scammers send emails telling people their creditors have taken out a County Court Judgment against them. Victims are then instructed to pay the FCA directly, when in fact they’re sending money straight into the hands of criminals.”
How to safeguard yourself
When asked what households can do to protect themselves, Smithies was unequivocal: “The best way to avoid becoming a victim is to know the tricks they use. The FCA will never cold-call you to demand payment, never ask for PINs or passwords, and never pressure you into moving money.”
He further advised: “If something doesn’t feel right, stop, hang up, and check directly with the FCA through its official contact channels. Scammers rely on fear and urgency. Taking a pause could save your life savings.”
