FSA warns on scammers who pretend to be Sants

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has warned firms and consumers to be vigilant for fraudsters claiming to be from the regulator.

Scammers have been phoning, emailing and writing to people, often using the names of present or past employees such as chief executive Hector Sants or chairman Lord Adair Turner, it said.

Targets may be told they owe money or be asked for personal information such as copies of payslips or passports.

Criminals also tell victims they are entitled to a sum of money and that they need to supply bank account details to receive the payment.

"Keep in mind that the FSA would never contact members of the public asking for money or your bank account details," the FSA said.

"The correspondence is likely to be linked to organised fraud and we strongly advise you not to respond to the criminals in any way."

Emails and letters may feature the FSA's logo but tell tale signs of their fraudulent nature include the listing of mobile or overseas contact phone numbers, email addresses from a Hotmail or Gmail account, and foreign PO Box numbers.

Communications often contain spelling mistakes and poor grammar, the FSA said.

Last year, IFAonline reported on an email supposedly "from the desk of Lord Adair Turner", claiming the recipient had had a "huge fund" credited in their name, which would be confiscated within three days unless they e-mailed back personal details.