It has come to light that some regulated firms have received an email that appears to be from the FCA, using an email address similar to that indicated in the example below where # is a number. The email asks the firm to complete a due diligence questionnaire, which isn’t attached, prompting firms to then respond for the attachment.
The FCA has confirmed that this is NOT from them and is a scam email. See here for further information. If you receive such an email you should forward it to Phishing@fca.org.uk then delete it.
*** Do not reply to the email ***
EXAMPLE OF THE SCAM EMAIL
From: Financial Conduct Authority <connect#@gabriel-fca.org.uk>
Sent: 26 May 2020 15:03
To: <FIRM EMAIL ADDRESS>
Subject: Due diligence request
DUE DILIGENCE REQUEST
DUE DATE : 28 MAY 2020
Firm Name: Complete Advice Services Limited
Hello
In regards to a recent directive with effect from 15 May 2020, you are required to complete the above compliance questionnaire.
What you must do
We require you to review and answer the relevant questions in the attached questionnaire and return as early as possible, but no later than 28 May 2020. Also, complete the profile section with up-to-date details.
Kindly reply to this email if you have any questions.
Yours sincerely,
Financial Conduct Authority
This email is classified as FCA Restricted, unless marked otherwise
Financial Conduct Authority
12 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
Tel: +44 (0)75 3712 6017
www.fca.org.uk
This communication and any attachments may contain personal information. For more information about how and why we use personal information and who to contact with any queries about this, please see our privacy notices: FCA Privacy Notice (https://www.fca.org.uk/data-protection) and PSR Privacy Notice (https://www.psr.org.uk/cookies-privacy-and-data-protection).



FCS Transitional Arrangements
Steve Bailey Compliance Update
As you will be aware the Financial Services Authority ceased to be and the Financial Conduct Authority took over the regulation of financial advice firms on 01 April 2013.
The FSA issued PS13/05 last week which includes updated rules and transition arrangements. The policy statement itself is 88 pages but the ‘appendix (3)’ that accompanies it is a mere 1990 pages so you must excuse us for not as yet absorbing every word. The document can be seen here.