FOS warns of 'fake Ombudsmen'

Service is being impersonated by fraudsters

Carmen Reichman
clock • 1 min read

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has warned fraudsters have been targeting consumers under its name to get them to reveal personal information.

In a note on its website, the FOS said it was aware consumers had been cold-called and received emails by the scammers, who had used its name, in a bid to persuade them to reveal details of their personal and financial circumstances. The service also warned of "number spoofers" - fraudsters using technology to make it look like an Ombudsman number was calling. The FOS remined consumers it would never email or phone people out of the blue to ask for personal information. It only contacts people if they have already been in touch to register a complaint. "The ombudsman is a free s...

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 Regulation

The advice/guidance boundary review: More shades of grey?

The advice/guidance boundary review: More shades of grey?

'The feedback to the FCA is clear: rules are preferred to guidance'

Nina Cherry and Aneta Murdza
clock 09 April 2024 • 4 min read
Unauthorised director to hand investors £1.6m following FCA probe

Unauthorised director to hand investors £1.6m following FCA probe

Amount secured for investors by the FCA following High Court approval

Isabel Baxter
clock 04 April 2024 • 1 min read
Advisers sound positive note on LTA changes but flag need for support

Advisers sound positive note on LTA changes but flag need for support

The LTA will be abolished this week at the end of the tax year

Hope Coumbe
clock 02 April 2024 • 1 min read