What the FCA, the Police and Your Bank Never Ask For
The FCA states that it will never ask anyone to make a payment to the regulator, and never asks for sensitive banking details such as a PIN or an online banking password. Banks and the police give the same assurance through the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign: neither will ask you to move money to a so-called safe account, or send a courier to collect your card, cash or valuables.
A request of that kind settles the question by itself. However official the caller sounds, and however much they already know about you, an organisation that asks you to move or hand over money is not the organisation it claims to be.
The Number on Your Screen Proves Nothing
Fraudsters can make a call appear to come from a genuine number, a technique known as number spoofing. The FCA warns that its own switchboard numbers have been displayed in this way.
An official logo, the name of a real member of staff and a reference number on a letter are just as easy to copy. None of them confirms who is on the other end of the call.
Two Stories These Callers Tell
The FCA describes two approaches that recur in reports to its helpline. In the first, the caller says that money is owed to you, often compensation or the return of an earlier loss, and asks for your bank details or a fee to release the payment. In the second, the caller says that your bank or another provider is under investigation and that your money must be moved for safety.
The FCA received 4,465 reports of fake FCA contact in the first half of 2025, and 480 of the people who reported had already sent money. An offer to recover a previous loss needs particular care, because people who have lost money once are often approached again.
Call Back on a Number You Already Trust
End the call, then contact the organisation yourself on a number you know to be genuine: the FCA on 0800 111 6768, or your bank on the number printed on your card. You can also dial 159, which connects you to the fraud team of almost every UK bank. Never use a number the caller gives you.
A genuine organisation will not object to the delay. The FCA says its staff are content to wait while you check who you are speaking to.
If You Have Already Paid
Contact your bank at once, on 159 or the number on your card, and ask the bank to stop or recover the payment. Bank transfers to a fraudster made on or after 7 October 2024 may be reimbursed under the Payment Systems Regulator's rules.
Report the contact to the FCA on 0800 111 6768 and to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or to Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland.
How MetaAshes Examines This
A MetaAshes assessment cross-references a firm's details against the official record in a single pass. For this question, the most relevant checks include:
- Authenticity of representatives
- Official telephone number on record
- Method of first contact
- Recovery room approaches
- Pressure and deadlines
- Payment method
- Payee name verification
Frequently Asked
How can I tell whether a call is really from the FCA?
End the call and ring the FCA on 0800 111 6768. The FCA will never ask you to make a payment to the regulator, or for your PIN or online banking password, so a caller who asks for either is not from the FCA.
A caller says my bank account is at risk and I must move my money. What should I do?
Move nothing. End the call and contact your bank on 159 or the number printed on your card. Banks and the police will never ask you to transfer money to a safe account.
Can MetaAshes check a caller who says they represent an investment firm?
Yes. An assessment compares the name, telephone number, email address, website and payment details you were given with the official records for the firm, and reports where they do not agree.
This guide is provided for general information and does not constitute financial or legal advice.