Quilter targeted by ‘clone’ scammers
The FCA has issued a warning after several parts of the Quilter business were targeted by clone scammers.
Quilter Private Client Advisers, Quilter Cheviot Investment Management and Quilter plc have all been targeted.
The regulator says that fraudsters are using fake details of these firms to try to con people into believing they are dealing with a genuine, authorised firm.
Clone and scam firms are increasing rapidly in frequency with fraudsters setting up fake websites or email campaigns to target investors.
The FCA says the scammers targeting Quilter are using the Quilter name and the following details:
Address: Millennium Bridge House, Lambeth Hill, London, EC4V 4AJ; QC Applications, Kemp House, 152-160 City Road, London, EC1B 2NX
Telephone: +44 207 193 2846, 0203 966 1358
Fax: +44 845 243 1589
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.quilterprivateclient.com, quiltercheviotim.co.uk, www.quilterprivate.com, www.qpcauk.com
The FCA warns that scammers may give out other ‘false details’ or mix these with some correct details of the registered firm.
They may also change contact details over time to new email addresses, telephone numbers or physical addresses.
The correct details for the FCA authorised firms are:
Firm Name: Quilter Cheviot Limited
Firm Reference Number: 124259
Address: One Kingsway, London, United Kingdom, WC2B 6AN, United Kingdom
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.quiltercheviot.com
Firm Name: Quilter Financial Services Ltd
Firm Reference Number: 440703
Address: Wiltshire Court, Farnsby Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 5AH
Telephone: 01793 647 400
Firm Name: Quilter Private Client Advisers Limited (Appointed Representative)
Firm Reference Number: 227836
Address: Millennium Bridge House, Lambeth Hill, London, EC4V 4AJ
Telephone: 0207 562 5856
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The FCA advisers consumers to only deal with financial firms authorised by it and to check the Financial Services Register to ensure they are. If a firm does not appear on the Register but claims it does, consumers can contact the FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768.
Anyone using an unauthorised firm will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service
A Freedom of Information request by Financial Planning Today in January uncovered that the FCA issued 400% more clone and scam firm warnings in 2019 than in 2015.
In the past two years more than 700 firms have been hit by clone scams including Financial Planning firm Boosst and providers such as Vanguard, 7IM and Royal London. There were 303 clone or scam firm warnings in in 2018, rising to 365 in 2019 - equivalent to seven a week.