Stay safe from scams
Here you will find information on types of scams, how to protect yourself, and who to contact if you feel you have been a victim of a scam.
Common types of fraud and tips to keep you safe online
It is important to spot fraud and take steps to help protect yourself from becoming a victim. Here are some common types of fraud and tips on how to prevent them.
Investment scams
- Phishing scams
- Social engineering scams
- Top tips
Investment scams
Investment scams can be tricky to spot. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Have you been contacted, unexpectedly by phone, email or on social media about an investment opportunity?
- Have you seen ads on social media offering unbelievably high returns on investment?
- Have you felt pressurised to make a quick decision without time to consider the investment?
- Have you been offered high returns with little or no risk?
- Have you been told that the investment opportunity is exclusive to a small group, including you?
If you answered yes to any of these, you might be dealing with an investment scam. Fraudsters may set up cloned websites or redirect you to legitimate sites to build trust. They might also send you documents with our branding to add credibility and even make initial payments to convince you to invest more.
Investment scams
Investment scams can be tricky to spot. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Have you been contacted, unexpectedly by phone, email or on social media about an investment opportunity?
- Have you seen ads on social media offering unbelievably high returns on investment?
- Have you felt pressurised to make a quick decision without time to consider the investment?
- Have you been offered high returns with little or no risk?
- Have you been told that the investment opportunity is exclusive to a small group, including you?
If you answered yes to any of these, you might be dealing with an investment scam. Fraudsters may set up cloned websites or redirect you to legitimate sites to build trust. They might also send you documents with our branding to add credibility and even make initial payments to convince you to invest more.
Investment scams
- Phishing scams
- Social engineering scams
- Top tips
Investment scams
Investment scams can be tricky to spot. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Have you been contacted, unexpectedly by phone, email or on social media about an investment opportunity?
- Have you seen ads on social media offering unbelievably high returns on investment?
- Have you felt pressurised to make a quick decision without time to consider the investment?
- Have you been offered high returns with little or no risk?
- Have you been told that the investment opportunity is exclusive to a small group, including you?
If you answered yes to any of these, you might be dealing with an investment scam. Fraudsters may set up cloned websites or redirect you to legitimate sites to build trust. They might also send you documents with our branding to add credibility and even make initial payments to convince you to invest more.
Investment scams
Investment scams can be tricky to spot. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Have you been contacted, unexpectedly by phone, email or on social media about an investment opportunity?
- Have you seen ads on social media offering unbelievably high returns on investment?
- Have you felt pressurised to make a quick decision without time to consider the investment?
- Have you been offered high returns with little or no risk?
- Have you been told that the investment opportunity is exclusive to a small group, including you?
If you answered yes to any of these, you might be dealing with an investment scam. Fraudsters may set up cloned websites or redirect you to legitimate sites to build trust. They might also send you documents with our branding to add credibility and even make initial payments to convince you to invest more.
Spotting fraudulent requests
We will never
Ask you to make a test payment or move money to a new account or a secure, safe or holding account.
Send someone to your home to collect cash, bank cards, or valuables.
Ask you to disclose your online password.
Ask you to download something to run on your computer.
Ask you to allow us remote access to your computer.
Types of fraud
Fraudsters use various methods to target you. Here are some common types.
Fixed interest investment or ISA fraud
- Alternative asset fraud
- Social media fraud
- Inheritance, refund and recovery fraud
Fixed interest investment or ISA fraud
Trusted brands are often targeted by fraudsters to add the appearance of legitimacy to their crimes. This can take many forms but often fraudsters will impersonate representatives of the company. They will frequently use falsified or copied material (documentation, email addresses, websites etc.) that imitates the branding and intellectual property of the company as a tool for such impersonation.
If you have been approached regarding an unbelievable offer in Fixed interest investment or ISA or any investment you do not see in our list of funds please contact us, these could be linked to fraudulent activity.
We have been made aware of fraudsters who have been placing advertisements with internet search engine providers to promote various fraudulent investments. The adverts link to fraudulent investment comparison sites and will prompt you to supply your name, telephone number and email address. Once this information has been provided, fraudsters posing as representatives of Schroders Personal Wealth will then cold call and email bogus prospectuses and application forms with a view to taking payment for fraudulent investments.
Fixed interest investment or ISA fraud
Trusted brands are often targeted by fraudsters to add the appearance of legitimacy to their crimes. This can take many forms but often fraudsters will impersonate representatives of the company. They will frequently use falsified or copied material (documentation, email addresses, websites etc.) that imitates the branding and intellectual property of the company as a tool for such impersonation.
If you have been approached regarding an unbelievable offer in Fixed interest investment or ISA or any investment you do not see in our list of funds please contact us, these could be linked to fraudulent activity.
We have been made aware of fraudsters who have been placing advertisements with internet search engine providers to promote various fraudulent investments. The adverts link to fraudulent investment comparison sites and will prompt you to supply your name, telephone number and email address. Once this information has been provided, fraudsters posing as representatives of Schroders Personal Wealth will then cold call and email bogus prospectuses and application forms with a view to taking payment for fraudulent investments.
Fixed interest investment or ISA fraud
- Alternative asset fraud
- Social media fraud
- Inheritance, refund and recovery fraud
Fixed interest investment or ISA fraud
Trusted brands are often targeted by fraudsters to add the appearance of legitimacy to their crimes. This can take many forms but often fraudsters will impersonate representatives of the company. They will frequently use falsified or copied material (documentation, email addresses, websites etc.) that imitates the branding and intellectual property of the company as a tool for such impersonation.
If you have been approached regarding an unbelievable offer in Fixed interest investment or ISA or any investment you do not see in our list of funds please contact us, these could be linked to fraudulent activity.
We have been made aware of fraudsters who have been placing advertisements with internet search engine providers to promote various fraudulent investments. The adverts link to fraudulent investment comparison sites and will prompt you to supply your name, telephone number and email address. Once this information has been provided, fraudsters posing as representatives of Schroders Personal Wealth will then cold call and email bogus prospectuses and application forms with a view to taking payment for fraudulent investments.
Fixed interest investment or ISA fraud
Trusted brands are often targeted by fraudsters to add the appearance of legitimacy to their crimes. This can take many forms but often fraudsters will impersonate representatives of the company. They will frequently use falsified or copied material (documentation, email addresses, websites etc.) that imitates the branding and intellectual property of the company as a tool for such impersonation.
If you have been approached regarding an unbelievable offer in Fixed interest investment or ISA or any investment you do not see in our list of funds please contact us, these could be linked to fraudulent activity.
We have been made aware of fraudsters who have been placing advertisements with internet search engine providers to promote various fraudulent investments. The adverts link to fraudulent investment comparison sites and will prompt you to supply your name, telephone number and email address. Once this information has been provided, fraudsters posing as representatives of Schroders Personal Wealth will then cold call and email bogus prospectuses and application forms with a view to taking payment for fraudulent investments.
Protect your privacy and stay safe online
People are increasingly falling victim to online identity fraud but there are steps you can take to help safeguard your personal data.
Use strong, unique passwords
It's best to avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, as cyber criminals only need one password to access all your accounts. To protect your important accounts, like financial services, social media, and email, use strong and unique passwords. Create passwords of at least 12 to 16 characters by combining three random words, such as SunnyBirdDance.
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) enhances the security of your accounts, even if a cyber criminal knows your password. 2FA requires two separate steps to access your account, such as a password and a one-time code. Many online services offer this feature, so enable it to keep your accounts safe.
Use a password manager
Many phones, computers, and other devices come with password manager apps to store your passwords. These apps are available as desktop applications, browser extensions, and mobile apps, and they can sync across all your devices, ensuring you have access to your passwords wherever you are. It's crucial to choose a secure password manager. Check its features before using it, keep it updated, and use a strong password along with two-factor authentication (2FA) to unlock it.
Be careful what you share online
Protect your privacy and security by being careful of sharing too much online. Personal information can be misused by cyber criminals, and once posted, it can be difficult to remove. Always think twice before sharing sensitive details. You can check if your email account and password has been leaked via Have I Been Pwned. If you discover that your email address has been exposed, it is crucial to immediately change the passwords for all accounts associated with that email or using the same password.
Keep your devices up to date
Regularly updating your mobile devices helps maintain their security, performance and functionality. Updates often include patches for vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Staying updated helps protect your personal information and data.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
AI can be used to create highly convincing scams, such as phishing emails and fake websites, making it easier for cyber criminals to deceive. Be aware of AI-generated content like deepfakes and phishing attempts and always verify the source before clicking on links or downloading files.
Useful information
Here are our website and email domains, useful resources, and contact details for any support you require.