If you are looking to invest your money in bonds, there is no need to be concerned. Several scams exist, and the SEC has a list of bogus and fraudulent firms. You should beware of any firm that requests money in advance. They will often use high-pressure sales techniques, such as mentioning upcoming earnings announcements of public companies. They may also fake testimonials, or even claim to be based overseas.
The FSCS and Financial Ombudsman Service will not protect you if you deal with an unauthorised company. The FSCS only covers misconduct by authorised advisers, and bonds are not covered by them. Moreover, if you are considering a mini-bond, you should be very careful about the offer because this type of investment is high risk. Moreover, you should be cautious about a company that offers you a free research report or a discount on dealing charges. Scammers will try to convince you to buy shares in a non-existent company, or even sell them at higher than the market price.
If you are suspicious about an investment firm, look for these indicators. These companies may be operating out of an illegal office, and you will have little recourse if you’ve already lost your money. If they’re unregistered, you’ll have no recourse, and if you don’t understand what’s happening, you should contact the local law enforcement. It’s also advisable to check the FSCS status of the company you’re considering, so you don’t fall victim to a scam.
