Impersonations
Impersonation scams are used by criminals to try to get you to share personal or account information by pretending to be someone trusted or in a position of authority. They may use fake adverts, web links or phone calls claiming to be from Fidelity. Fraudsters often ask you to provide login details, share one-time passcodes, click on malicious links, complete forms or transfer money.
Impersonation scams: what to look out for
Scammers may use fake online adverts or web links that appear connected to Fidelity. After responding, you may get calls from people claiming to be from Fidelity’s Wealth Management team, often using the names of genuine employees. They may ask you to fill in forms, provide ID or transfer money.
How to protect yourself:
- Always check you're dealing directly with Fidelity before sharing personal information or making a payment.
- If something doesn't seem quite right, call us on 0800 358 7712.
Attackers may call you pretending to be a Fidelity employee, claiming there is an urgent issue with your account and creating a sense of urgency and fear to act immediately.
How to protect yourself:
- A genuine Fidelity employee will never ask you to share login credentials.
- If you're unsure, call us on 0800 358 7712.
Fraudsters might purport to be an I.T. support worker and request to access your desktop remotely under the guise of helping you resolve an account issue. This could be done over the phone or they may send you an email and ask you to click a link.
How to protect yourself:
- Never allow anyone to access your desktop remotely - Fidelity will never ask you to do this.
- If you receive such a request, end the conversation and call us on 0800 358 7712 immediately.
Another tactic fraudsters use is sending WhatsApp messages claiming to be a trusted person - such as a close family member or a known organisation - asking you to transfer funds or click malicious links.
How to protect yourself:
- Always verify who you are speaking with either by checking in person or via a different platform and never share your sensitive data.
- If you notice any suspicious activity on your account or have any doubts about who may be contacting you, call us on 0800 358 7712.
Fraudsters may impersonate trusted individuals or an organisation, such as the police or employees from regulated firms, to gain your trust. They may claim your account is at risk and insist you move funds to a “safe” account or act urgently to avoid supposed penalties.
How to protect yourself:
- If you’re contacted unexpectedly, do not share sensitive details or transfer money with unexpected contacts.
- If you suspect the call is suspicious, hang up and contact the organisation directly using a verified phone number or website.
Impersonation scams are designed to exploit your emotions and trust. Some may even produce convincing content to trick you into doing something or to steal your data. By staying vigilant and verifying requests, you can prevent attackers from gaining access to your accounts.
For more tips on how to protect your business from cyber threats, visit our webpage on cybersecurity.
