FCA Warns of Client.octopus-firm.com Clone Impersonating Octopus Investments

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned that Client.octopus-firm.com is an unauthorised clone firm pretending to represent Octopus Investments Limited. The firm has reportedly been contacting people while using details copied from the genuine authorised business, including the website client.octopus-firm.com and the email address [email protected]. The FCA said the genuine Octopus Investments Limited has no connection with the clone. Its authorised details are Firm Reference Number 194779, 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT, United Kingdom, telephone number +4408003162295, email address [email protected], and website octopusinvestments.com. The regulator cautioned that fraudsters may combine genuine firm details with false email addresses, telephone numbers, postal addresses or reference numbers, and may change their contact information over time. People who deal with the clone firm would not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for complaints and would not be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the firm failed. The FCA said people who sent money to a fraudster on or after 7 October 2024 may be covered by protections introduced by the Payment Systems Regulator, and should follow the relevant process for payments made to scam accounts. Consumers should check a financial business through the FCA Firm Checker before dealing with it and confirm that it is authorised for the service being offered. Anyone contacted unexpectedly should use the contact details listed on the checker rather than details supplied by the caller or website. Suspected clone firms can be reported to the FCA on 0800 111 6768 or through its contact form.