Article: published on 24 August 2026
Scam Interceptors' Nick Stapleton
How to spot the warning signs of an investment scam
- Published
Investment scams can look professional, sound convincing and use familiar names to make people think they are dealing with a legitimate company.
Scam Interceptors' Nick Stapleton joined BBC Morning Live to explain the tactics fraudsters use on the phone, and how to check whether an investment offer is genuine before handing over any money.
How investment scams can start
Some investment scams begin with an advert online or on social media.
The advert may lead to what looks like a news article, celebrity endorsement or interview, but the page may be fake.
Scammers can use familiar TV shows, well-known business figures, politicians or fake customer reviews to make an investment opportunity look trustworthy.
They may then ask you to enter your name, phone number or email address.
Once you have done this, you may receive a call from someone claiming to help you open an account or start investing.
Why company names matter
One major warning sign is when the company names do not match.
The name on the advert, website, phone call, email address or payment link should all match.
If they do not, stop.
Scammers may use several names to create confusion and make it harder to trace what has happened.
A professional-sounding caller does not mean a company is legitimate.
The caller can sound calm, clear and friendly while still being part of a scam.
Be wary of AI trading claims
Scammers can use terms such as "AI", "automatic trading" or "trading software" to make a fake investment platform sound advanced.
They may claim the system can trade for you, find the best market conditions, or help you make money with little effort.
No trading system can guarantee profits so be careful if a company suggests you can make money without understanding the investment, the risks, or how your money will be used.
What details might scammers ask for?
Scammers can ask for personal information while pretending to follow financial rules.
They may ask about your age, job, nationality, ID documents, savings or bank details.
This information can be used to build trust, assess how much money you have, or commit identity fraud.
Once scammers know how much money someone has, they may start with a small payment and later push for more.
A small first payment can be used to make the process feel low risk.
How scammers try to build trust
Scammers may use small details to make a fake company feel safer.
They may give you a customer number, security code or account manager.
They may also sound patient and friendly, rather than aggressive.
Some may move the conversation from a phone call or email to a messaging app.
A payment page looking secure does not prove the company is legitimate.
Being able to pay through a familiar method does not prove the investment is safe.
What to check before investing
In the UK, nearly all financial service activities must be authorised or registered by the Financial Conduct Authority.
If a company is offering investments, managing money or giving investment advice, check it on the FCA register before doing anything.
Be cautious if a caller says they are "following FCA guidelines" but will not say they are regulated by the FCA. Those are not the same thing.
If a firm is not authorised, you may not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service if something goes wrong.
You may also not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the firm goes out of business.
You can also search the FCA Warning List to check whether a firm or individual is known to be unauthorised.
If a company is not on the Warning List, it does not mean it is safe or authorised.
Always check the FCA register as well.
How to protect yourself
Never be rushed into making an investment.
A legitimate organisation should not pressure you into investing on the spot.
Speak to someone you trust before making a major financial decision.
You can also seek independent financial advice.
Check the company name, website address and contact details carefully.
Do not rely on celebrity quotes, reviews, news-style articles or promoted posts.
Search the FCA register before sending money.
If the names on the advert, website, phone call and payment link do not match, stop.
If something feels wrong, hang up.
