We take our responsibility to look after your money, information and privacy seriously. We therefore have security measures in place to help combat fraud and cybercrime. As individuals there are also some simple steps and guidance that we can all easily follow to improve our personal online security. By raising awareness of common fraud scams we hope you'll recognise the warning signs early and keep yourself safe.
Security checklist:
Where possible, passwords should be at least twelve characters long, but they do not need to be complex (i.e. numbers, special characters are not required). Consider usinga sequence of words or letters that are memorable to you but difficult to guess, or phrases from a poem or song. Change your passwords regularly where possible, using different passwords for different accounts. Do not let anyone else know your password. Use a Password Manager application (with two-factor authentication on the Password Manager account enabled for extra security) or a Browser Password Manager.
Unexpected emails may be malicious; containing viruses or other tools criminals use to gain access to your information. Do not:
- reply to an email asking for sensitive information,
- open an unexpected attachment,
- or enter information into a website that you are directed to by a hyperlink.
Instead, use a search engine to look at the organisation’s home page. Do not give sensitive information such as plan numbers to a caller if you are unsure of who they are.
Investment and utility scams are usually difficult to spot because they’re designed to appear like genuine businesses offering great deals.
Keep an eye out for these red flags:
- A guaranteed promise of interest or energy rates that are at odds with the current market and seem too good to be true
- A time-limited offer if you sign up before a set date. They may also ask you not to tell anyone else about the 'exclusive' deal.
- The person contacting you downplays the risks to your money using legal jargon to mislead you.
- You are pressurised to sign up and provide bank details or transfer money quickly and through unusual means.
Romance scams or ‘catfishing’ are designed to build a relationship and gain your trust.
Red Flags:
- Early declaration of strong feelings, or the suggestion to talk more privately by email, phone, or instant messaging.
- Their online profile is basic, contains spelling or grammar mistakes or is inconsistent with the stories they tell you.
- They appeal to your compassionate side with emotional requests for money, e.g. for emergency medical care, to support family, or flight costs to visit you from overseas.
- They ask for money through bank or money transfers, the purchase of gift cards or presents, or even access to your bank account or card.
Authorised Push Payment (APP) Fraud
Red Flags:
- You are told you’ve been a victim of fraud and you need to move your money to another account quickly. This is not a normal banking process, so question it at the highest level.
- Make sure you phone your bank directly, ideally on the number on your bank card or a letter and check any changes to payment details.
- Don’t rely on emails - they could be intercepted.
- Never rush payments - genuine organisations will wait.
Cybercrime is a fast-moving industry. By keeping your systems up to date, they will be more resilient to new cyber attacks. Also run regular virus scans of your computers and devices.
If you are unsure whether the connection is secure. Do not enter sensitive information into the device. If you are in a public place such as a café or hotel, the wireless connection is less likely to be secure.
Our interactions with you:
If you would like further information about online security and fraud, please visit www.getsafeonline.org, www.actionfraud.police.uk and www.cyberstreetwise.com St. James’s Place cannot accept responsibility for content on external websites.
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Investment scam warning
Investment scam warning
St. James's Place has been made aware of brochures being sent to members of the public which appear to have originated from within St. James’s Place. These brochures make an offer to sell a fixed income Bond, returning between 6% and 8% with guaranteed capital safety, which St. James’s Place does not provide. The email address [email protected] is used, however this is not a St. James's Place email account.
This is a scam designed to encourage you to invest in a product which in all likelihood does not exist and certainly is not connected with St. James’s Place. We would encourage you not to respond to these brochures or any follow up phone calls and to report them to Action Fraud if you are a UK resident. Additionally you can report via FCA. Overseas residents should report this activity to their local regulator or law enforcement.
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Email scam warning
Email scam warning
St. James's Place has been made aware of emails being sent which appear to have originated from within St. James’s Place Private Client Team. These emails make an offer to sell a fixed rate Bond which St. James’s Place does not provide.
This is a scam designed to encourage you to invest in a product which in all likelihood does not exist and certainly is not connected with St. James’s Place. We would encourage you not to respond to these emails and to report them to Action Fraud if you are a UK resident. Additionally you can report via FCA. Overseas residents should report this activity to their local regulator or law enforcement.
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Investment scam warning
Investment scam warning
St. James’s Place does not promote single investment opportunities and if you receive contact from a firm purporting to be St. James’s Place Wealth Management styled SJP WM, offering the opportunity to invest in Sirius Minerals plc, you should treat this with caution and conduct your own due diligence. We are aware that there is a genuine investment proposition for Sirius Minerals plc and would recommend that you contact them directly. The email address [email protected] and the name Dan Willis are not linked to St. James’s Place. If you have had any contact we would advise reporting to Action Fraud here.
If you are reading this because you feel you may be targeted or have received a suspicious email or LinkedIn connection request from an unknown party claiming to be a representative of SJP, you should inform us and check the official Financial Services register of regulated individuals and firms, published by the FCA. If the contact doesn’t appear on the register, they are certainly not legitimate.
If you think a fraud has occurred that involves your SJP investments or that your communications with SJP may be compromised, you should report it to your SJP Partner ASAP by telephone or face-to-face, providing as much detail as possible.
They’ll be able to support you and refer your concerns to SJP’s Financial Crime Prevention team to investigate.
We recommend that you always take time to consider the circumstances of what you are being asked to do, and your SJP Partner can help determine if this is a genuine request.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Remember, if you have any suspicions: -
- Ask for more information and compare with your own independent research.
- Do not be afraid to terminate contact with anyone if you have concerns.
- Spot and avoid scams on the Take Five to Stop Fraud website
- You can check on the Citizens’ Advice website to see if something might be a scam.
Top tips if you think you’ve been a victim of a scam
- Contact your bank immediately on a number you know to be correct, such as the one listed on your statement, their website or on the back of your debit or credit card.
- Report it to Action Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.
- For suspicious emails, forward to: [email protected] - www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams
- To report a fraudulent (Smishing) message forward the message, phone number or company name to 7726. This is a free service. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate.
- Check an investment opportunity using the FCA ScamSmart online tool by answering a few simple questions. If you have been the victim then you should report it to the FCA on 0800 111 6768
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): https://www.ncsc.gov.uk
- view articles and guidance on how to stay safe online.
Investment scam warning
St. James's Place has been made aware of brochures being sent to members of the public which appear to have originated from within St. James’s Place. These brochures make an offer to sell a fixed income Bond, returning between 6% and 8% with guaranteed capital safety, which St. James’s Place does not provide. The email address [email protected] is used, however this is not a St. James's Place email account.
This is a scam designed to encourage you to invest in a product which in all likelihood does not exist and certainly is not connected with St. James’s Place. We would encourage you not to respond to these brochures or any follow up phone calls and to report them to Action Fraud if you are a UK resident. Additionally you can report via FCA. Overseas residents should report this activity to their local regulator or law enforcement.
Email scam warning
St. James's Place has been made aware of emails being sent which appear to have originated from within St. James’s Place Private Client Team. These emails make an offer to sell a fixed rate Bond which St. James’s Place does not provide.
This is a scam designed to encourage you to invest in a product which in all likelihood does not exist and certainly is not connected with St. James’s Place. We would encourage you not to respond to these emails and to report them to Action Fraud if you are a UK resident. Additionally you can report via FCA. Overseas residents should report this activity to their local regulator or law enforcement.
Investment scam warning
St. James’s Place does not promote single investment opportunities and if you receive contact from a firm purporting to be St. James’s Place Wealth Management styled SJP WM, offering the opportunity to invest in Sirius Minerals plc, you should treat this with caution and conduct your own due diligence. We are aware that there is a genuine investment proposition for Sirius Minerals plc and would recommend that you contact them directly. The email address [email protected] and the name Dan Willis are not linked to St. James’s Place. If you have had any contact we would advise reporting to Action Fraud here.
If you are reading this because you feel you may be targeted or have received a suspicious email or LinkedIn connection request from an unknown party claiming to be a representative of SJP, you should inform us and check the official Financial Services register of regulated individuals and firms, published by the FCA. If the contact doesn’t appear on the register, they are certainly not legitimate.
If you think a fraud has occurred that involves your SJP investments or that your communications with SJP may be compromised, you should report it to your SJP Partner ASAP by telephone or face-to-face, providing as much detail as possible.
They’ll be able to support you and refer your concerns to SJP’s Financial Crime Prevention team to investigate.
We recommend that you always take time to consider the circumstances of what you are being asked to do, and your SJP Partner can help determine if this is a genuine request.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Remember, if you have any suspicions: -
- Ask for more information and compare with your own independent research.
- Do not be afraid to terminate contact with anyone if you have concerns.
- Spot and avoid scams on the Take Five to Stop Fraud website
- You can check on the Citizens’ Advice website to see if something might be a scam.
Top tips if you think you’ve been a victim of a scam
- Contact your bank immediately on a number you know to be correct, such as the one listed on your statement, their website or on the back of your debit or credit card.
- Report it to Action Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.
- For suspicious emails, forward to: [email protected] - www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams
- To report a fraudulent (Smishing) message forward the message, phone number or company name to 7726. This is a free service. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate.
- Check an investment opportunity using the FCA ScamSmart online tool by answering a few simple questions. If you have been the victim then you should report it to the FCA on 0800 111 6768
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): https://www.ncsc.gov.uk
- view articles and guidance on how to stay safe online.