Fraudsters target Punter Southall in clone scam

Financial planning firm targeted

Sophie King
clock • 2 min read

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning after fraudsters were found to be feigning the Punter Southall brand.

Unauthorised business buy.lidlbond.com has been appearing to be the actual FCA-authorised financial planning firm, the regulator said. The watchdog also said fraudsters were using or giving false information as part of their tactics to scam people in the UK. The FCA continued: "Almost all firms and individuals carrying out financial services activities in the UK have to be authorised or registered by us. This firm is not authorised or registered by us but has been targeting people in the UK, claiming to be an authorised firm. "This is what we call a 'clone firm' and fraudsters usually...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Feel Good Friday: Aviva launches unified charitable foundation

Feel Good Friday: Aviva launches unified charitable foundation

Grant-giving and donation programmes now under the Aviva Foundation

Professional Adviser
clock 16 January 2026 • 1 min read
Meeting the needs of vulnerable consumers in financial services

Meeting the needs of vulnerable consumers in financial services

'The dynamic nature of vulnerability can make determining who's in scope complicated'

Shriya Patel
clock 14 January 2026 • 4 min read
Ten firms achieved CII Chartered status in second half of 2025

Ten firms achieved CII Chartered status in second half of 2025

Across financial planning and insurance

Jenna Brown
clock 13 January 2026 • 1 min read