Fraud alerts
There are many different types of fraud and ever evolving methods being used by fraudsters. Check this page frequently to keep up to date with the latest frauds that involve Schroders.
ASSET RECOVERY FRAUD
We are aware that the names and FCA website information of financial advisers within Benchmark Financial Planning, part of Best Practice Network IFA, are being used by fraudsters as part of a scam. These fraudsters have contacted people by phone, email, or WhatsApp claiming funds have been frozen and offering to help them recover those funds. They will claim the recovery of funds requires payment, likely to be made through crypto wallet transactions.
No financial adviser or other individual who works for Benchmark Financial Planning or Best Practice Network IFA assists with recovery of funds. They will never make unsolicited contact via phone, email, WhatsApp, or other messaging service, and they will not require you to use crypto wallet transactions.
If you have received unsolicited contact from someone who is listed on the FCA website as linked to Benchmark Financial Planning, Best Practice Network IFA, or any other Benchmark Capital or Schroders firm claiming to assist with recovery of frozen funds, we advise you to cease any interactions with the individual(s) immediately. Please notify the relevant authorities in your jurisdiction of fraud, and contact our Financial Crime Prevention team.
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENT FRAUD
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 will then cold call and email bogus Schroders prospectuses and application forms with a view to taking payment for fraudulent investments.
If you have been approached regarding an offer in Fixed interest investments please contact us, these could be linked to fraudulent activity.
SOCIAL MEDIA FRAUD
If you have been approached via social media platforms, regarding investment schemes claiming to be offered by individuals working for or are in partnership with Schroders then please contact us, as these are likely to be linked with fraudulent activity. Schroders takes all possible action in conjunction with social media platforms, law enforcement and regulators to stop these frauds.
Schroders active fraud monitoring has made us aware that fraudsters are contacting members of the public via social media, personal email addresses and private mobile messages to offer fraudulent investments via Investment Management Agreements listing Schroders PLC as the Manager. The agreement claims to make investments into Currency Arbitrage, Commodity Put and Call Options, FTSE Equities Long / Short and NYSE / NASDAQ Equity Futures.
INHERITANCE, REFUND AND RECOVERY FRAUD
There has been an increase in scams where fraudsters may claim to represent Law firms, Government departments or even some say working at Schroders who are holding money for you from an unknown inheritance. You will be offered a service to file claims on your behalf for an upfront fee. Schroders would not contact you in this way and does not offer any such service.
Once a fraudster knows that you have lost money, there is an increased likelihood that you may be targeted again. A common secondary fraud is known as a ‘recovery scam’. This is where fraudsters approach investors who have previously been defrauded, offering to help them get their money back for an upfront fee. Schroders would not contact you in this way and does not offer any such service.
If you have been a victim of fraud or lost money on an investment, please be aware of the above fraudulent scams if you are contacted directly and asked to pay a fee or transaction charge before carrying out any services to recover any losses.
To read about protecting yourself against fraud, click here.
Otherwise you can contact our Financial Crime Prevention team via:
Telephone: +44(0)20 7658 4004
Email: abuse@schroders.com
If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, we advise you to report it immediately to your bank who may be able to assist you in stopping or recovering funds. You can report fraud and cyber crime if you live in the UK to Action Fraud.
When you contact Schroders, we will investigate your suspicions and where possible take necessary steps to prevent others falling victim to the same scam.