MARTIN Lewis has issued an urgent warning to anyone signed up to MoneySavingExpert emails.
The consumer site has urged Brits not to give over any details and to instead report the emails sent from "mseoptions.com".
The emails are not associated with MSE or Martin Lewis, and are instead linked to fraudsters.
Email recipients are being asked to enter their personal information about "investment opportunities".
They ask the recipient to click through to a fake website and include MSE's logo and a photo of Martin.
People are asked to input their name and contact information in a bid to sell them illegitimate savings bonds.
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The emails are also said to include claims that the savings products are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
The firm is not listed on the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA's) register of authorised financial firms.
MSE said it is working to have the site shut down.
This is not the first time consumers have been bombarded by fake scam emails claiming to be MSE.
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In 2021 the FCA issued a warning after identifying a copycat firm using the money expert's name.
The clone firm sent emails claiming to be from Martin Lewis and MSE offering savings accounts with high interest rates.
Back in 2018 MSE said it had received reports of cold callers targeting victims both over the phone and on the doorstep also claiming to be from the site.
How to protect yourself from scams
Make sure to be suspicious of any “out-of-the-blue” messages.
Don't click on links, and definitely don’t provide any personal or banking information.
Be wary of random profiles and resist “too good to be true” investment messages.
Only deal with financial services firms authorised by the FCA – you can check the FS register to ensure they are.
To verify the identity of an authorised firm, ask for their FRN and contact details, but always call them back on the switchboard number given on the FS Register.
If there are no contact details on the FS Register, or the firm claims they are out of date, contact the FCA on 0800 111 6768.
Don't send money to someone without contacting them directly first to guarantee the payment reaches the final destination.
What can you do if you have been scammed?
Citizens Advice has three top tips on what you should do if you've been scammed:
- protect yourself from further risks
- check if you can get your money back
- report the scam
You can report the scam to the police through Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or report a scam anonymously on the Action Fraud website.
If you've transferred money to the scammer in the last 24 hours you should tell the police immediately by calling 101.
If you feel threatened or in danger call 999.
If you've lost money because of a scam, you might be able to get it back.
But the process of how you do this is different depending on how you made the payment.
If you paid by card or PayPal, your card provider can ask the seller's bank to refund the money.
Plus, if you paid by credit card and the item cost more than £100 but less than £30,000 you might be able to claim the money back under the Consumer Credit Act.
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This is known as a Section 75 claim.
If you've paid by bank transfer or direct debit contact your bank immediately to let them know what has happened and ask to get a refund.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
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