Clone scammers have targeted Marks & Spencer’s financial services arm by setting up a fake website to try to con savers.

The FCA has issued a public warning about the clone M&S website which has no connection to the genuine M&S, one of the UK's leading retailers.

Clone scammers copy websites to lure unsuspecting victims to hand over financial and bank account details.

The FCA said consumers must avoid visiting the scam website which is illegally using the name ‘Marks & Spencer Saver.’

The regulator warned that the scammers were copying some details of the official Marks & Spencer website to try to fool people.

The scam website was still operating today and claiming to offer a fixed rate bond with a Guaranteed 7.125% Fixed Return and FSCS protection. Neither of these facts is genuine.

The clone firm details are:

Name: Marks & Spencer Saver (clone of FCA authorised firm)

Website: https://www.marksandspencersaver.com

The FCA warned that scammers may also give out other false details, including email addresses, telephone numbers, postal addresses and Firm Reference Numbers. They may mix these details with the genuine details of authorised firms and change their contact details over time.

The FCA said: “This firm is not authorised by us but has been contacting people pretending to be an authorised firm. This is what we call a clone firm."

The correct details for the genuine Marks & Spencer website are:

Firm Name: Marks and Spencer plc

Firm Reference Number: 718711

Address: Waterside House
35 North Wharf Road
London, W2 1NW, UNITED KINGDOM

Telephone: (+44) 02079354422

Website: www.marksandspencer.com

The FCA is reporting up to a dozen clone scam attempts a day. This week it has also issues warnings on Hedge Funds Limited (Clone of FCA authorised firm), Equistone Partners Asia / esevn.com (Clone of FCA authorised firm) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (clone of genuine entity).

Marks & Spencer has been asked for reaction.