Martin Lewis scam adverts – he doesn’t do ads so any you see are fake #Stop!ThinkFraud

Good afternoon,

We are seeing an increasing number of reports from residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who have responded to adverts purporting to be by Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert fame (other money saving experts are available).  Famously, Martin Lewis, famously, DOES NOT advertise or endorse any financial products – he’s written at length about it here: 

Martin Lewis scam adverts https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/fake-martin-lewis-ads/

You are highly unlikely to see celebrities promoting or endorsing financial products because: “Under S21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 a person must not, in the course of business, communicate an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity” (except in specific circumstances) (FCA 2024).    

 So please research carefully before spending money or investing:

If you care considering investing, check if the investment provider is a regulated firm: https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/financial-services-register   

Although crypto is unregulated – anyone offering crypto products does have to be registered. Check here: https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/cryptoassets-information  (scroll down to big blue box)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published guidance on financial promotions on social media: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/finalised-guidance/fg24-1.pdf

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the UK’s independent regulator of advertising across all media. They have published advice about celebrities and advertising: https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/celebrities.html

If this isn't relevant to you, please share it with someone who might be interested.

If you’ve received a phishing email please forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726.

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential support: Home - Hampshire Victim Care Hub (hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk) or phone 0808 178 1641

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) or phone 0800 555 111

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Action Fraud either phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: Action Fraud

If a crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team