FSCS Warns of Scam Red Flags: Cold Calls, URN Requests, Upfront Payment Demands

Latest financial scams and frauds

At FSCS we see scams on a weekly basis - here's what to watch out for currently.

By FSCS staff
Published: 09 April 2026 Fraud & scams It's completely free to make a claim through FSCS – we will never ask you for money. If in doubt, contact us by email or phone.

Most commonly, scams targeted at FSCS customers will involve at least one of the following:

• A cold call from a non-FSCS phone number e.g. 0208..., 0330...
• Any reference to a URN (Unique Reference Number) or CRN (Customer Reference Number).
• Any mention of capital reimbursement.
• Any mention of compensation entitlement notification
• A call or message via WhatsApp.
• A request for an upfront payment.
• Being asked to share screens or download any software such as Anydesk.
• Any mention of compensation for cryptoassets.
• An email address that is filled with random numbers or is misspelt.
• A company that is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Check the FCA's register. Scammers can also use the name of a legitimate firm to try and get you to part with your money. Always check the FCA register for any warnings about cloned firms.

If you’re suspicious about any email, text message or phone call from someone claiming to be from FSCS, please don't give out any personal financial information. Emails with a different ending such as @zoho.com are not from FSCS.

Official FSCS emails end with @fscs.org.uk. However, it is possible for scammers to make it look like they have an official FSCS email address, so you should still be careful even if the email address ends in @fscs.org.uk.

Latest scams

09 April 2026 – scam email charging for increased compensation

We’ve been made aware of a scam email claiming to be from FSCS.
The email falsely claims that FSCS protects cryptoassets and asks people to pay to receive a higher level of compensation.

This email has not been sent by FSCS. FSCS does not protect cryptoassets, and we never charge customers to receive compensation.

You can find out more about what we protect, or report a scam to Report Fraud on their website.

05 December 2025 - scam messages offering compensation We’ve received reports of scammers claiming to be from FSCS offering compensation for customers of MH Carbon Ltd and various wine investment companies. These communications have not been sent by FSCS.

Please visit our failed firms page for the latest information on the latest firm failures, and for more information on how to make a claim.
04 September 2025 - Scam email for London Court Ltd We’ve been alerted of an email scam informing targets of a compensation entitlement notification for London Court Ltd.

The email advises customers to get in touch to proceed with their claim on this phone number: 0330 133 6175.

This is not FSCS’s official phone number and the email has not been sent by FSCS. Customers who wish to make a claim for London Court Ltd, or who have an existing claim against the firm can view the latest updates on the London Court Ltd failed firm page.

26 June 2025 - Scams letters claiming to be from FSCS

Customers are being targeted by scam letters using the old FSCS logo, from someone named Daniel Pritchard. This person does not work for FSCS, the letter is a scam and should be ignored.

If you’re ever unsure about a communication you’ve received, you can get in touch with us via our contact us page.

For more information on how to spot the warning signs of a scam, listen to episode 46 of our podcast.

18 October 2024 - Email addresses ending in @fscsrecovery.org

We have been supplied with a copy email purporting to be from an address ending in @fscsrecovery.org with a telephone number of +447418623449. The email contains some of our intellectual property, such as the FSCS logo, perhaps in an attempt to make it appear legitimate. The email is part of a scam and neither email addresses ending in @fscsrecovery.org nor the telephone number +447418623449 are used by FSCS. Please find an anonymised copy of the email here (PDF 68KB).

1 October 2024 - Phishing letters

We have been made aware of scam correspondence mentioning one of a number of insolvent or dissolved companies inviting the recipient to call a telephone number and lodge a claim. The correspondence appears on FSCS headed paper and includes forms similar to those issued by the Insolvency Service.

The insolvent companies named in the paperwork are:

• Access Commercial Investors 4 Plc
• Essex and London Properties Ltd
• Shenton International Bonds Plc
• Walsham Chalet Park Ltd
• Australian Portfolio Wines Ltd
• Store First Ltd
• Fluid Trust Plc
• Rowanmoor Personal Pensions Ltd FSCS has not issued the letters and does not anticipate corresponding with members of the public about these companies, with the potential exception of Store First Ltd, Rowanmoor Personal Pensions Ltd and Walsham Chalet Park Ltd.

The letters often appear to have been signed by Anthony Stedman or Adam Giles, neither of whom is employed by FSCS, or Richard Parkin, who is a non-executive director on the FSCS Board, or Martyn Beauchamp, who is FSCS’s interim chief executive. FSCS does not issue forms on Insolvency Service headed paper, such as a proof of debt form or CAU103. We do not charge claimants a fee for our services.

Please check any correspondence you receive mentioning these businesses is genuine before responding. If the correspondence is not genuine, then you might report it to Action Fraud who can be contacted via their website at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.

20 August 2024 – Evergreen Capital Advisors

We have been supplied with scam correspondence in the name of Evergreen Capital Advisors asking for a trade reference number. Please find an anonymised example here (PDF 417KB). We understand there is a company using this name and we have confirmed with them that they are not involved with the letters.

The recipients of the letters are informed that supplying a trade reference number will result in money being paid to them and if they do not have a trade reference number, they are encouraged to call the scammer and pay for a temporary licence.

FSCS is referred to at the bottom of an order confirmation form attached to the letter. We are not involved with the letters, Evergreen Capital Advisors Limited have stated they are not involved with the letters and we do not charge potential claimants for our services.

We have also been made aware of scams where scammers claiming to represent FSCS have contacted members of the public via WhatsApp. FSCS does not communicate via WhatsApp.

18 August 2024 –  Telephone number spoofing

FSCS has been made aware of telephone number spoofing being used to perpetrate scams. Spoofing involves scammers using fake caller IDs to make it look as though a telephone call originates from a trusted organisation such as FSCS. Scammers often use this to attempt to obtain bank details and other personal information, to gain access to funds in a person’s bank account.

If you’re unsure about whether a call you’ve received is from FSCS, hang up and get in touch with us via our contact us page.

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