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: EQ Investors team completes 17.5-mile charity walk

Feel Good Friday: EQ Investors team completes 17.5-mile charity walk

For Carney’s Community

Professional Adviser
clock 02 October 2026 • 1 min read
'Affluent advice gap' sees unadvised individuals sit on £1.61trn amid commission concerns

'Affluent advice gap' sees unadvised individuals sit on £1.61trn amid commission concerns

The Lang Cat research

Jen Frost
clock 01 October 2026 • 3 min read
Succession Alliance launches first profession-wide succession survey

Succession Alliance launches first profession-wide succession survey

Open to people in all roles working in financial planning firms

Sophia Panayi
clock 29 September 2026 • 1 min read