Beware of out of the blue contact offering interest in your current shareholdings, guaranteed returns or a ‘great deal’ in an investment.

Time pressure - fraudsters will use high pressure selling tactics and try to push you to make a quick decision

You have been researching investments online, completed a form or provided information and subsequently received out of the blue contact by telephone, email or online offering a good deal. Scammers can create documents, websites and online platforms that look real. They’ll do this to make you believe you’re dealing with a genuine company

You raise concerns and these are disregarded or brushed off

You may be requested to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement. This is their attempt to stop you discussing the opportunity with anyone else

Old share registers are often leaked and this is how the fraudsters obtain your details. Be wary of any reference to investments you previously held in certificated format.