This register lists every single lender, broker, and advisor that is registered with and authorised by the FCA.ĭealing with an authorised firm means you have protection under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Financial Ombudsman Service if things go wrong. The FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has a Financial Services Register which is free and easy for anyone to use. Here’s how to protect yourself from these scams: Check the FCA register However, genuine banks, financial advisors, brokers, lenders, or investment firms would never ask you to download a piece of software which enables them to see your computer screen or have remote access to your device. How to protect yourself from screen sharing scamsĪccording to a survey conducted by the FCA, 85% of people would not see a request by an ‘investment firm’ to download a piece of software as a warning sign of a scam. While having remote access they can even make bank transfers and apply for loans in your name. They will steal your bank log-in details, account numbers, personal information, passwords, and anything else that’s valuable to them. Once they have access to your device, they can take any information they want. Then they will ask you to log in to your bank account in order for them to make the investment on your behalf. They will ask you to download a genuine piece of software, so it doesn’t trigger any alarm bells, that will give them remote access to your device. Once you click on the advert and fill in a few personal details, you will get a call from someone pretending to be a financial advisor offering to complete the first investment for you to show you how it works. These adverts are most commonly promoting cryptocurrency investments or pension opportunities. They are likely to advertise investment opportunities on websites and/or social media. There are many ways that screen sharing scams can happen, however the most common tactic scammers use is a fake investment opportunity. Alternatively, they may ask you to download a software, like AnyDesk, that allows them to access your computer remotely. They ask you to do this while you are logged into your bank account. Scammers convince you to download, or use, a software which enables you to share your phone or computer screen with them – such as Microsoft Teams, TeamViewer, or Zoom. Screen sharing scams usually relate to some kind of banking process or investment opportunity as scammers use it as a way to get your bank details. These scams have been on the rise since the pandemic as more and more processes are completed online. Over £25 million was lost to these scams between 1st January 2021 and 31st March 2022, with victims ranging from 18 years old to over 70. Since July 2020, the FCA have received just over 2,000 reports relating to screen sharing scams.
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