Due to the uncertainty around the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increase of criminals taking advantage of the situation to trick people out of personal information and money. These savvy criminals may impersonate trusted organizations, such as Credit Suisse or government agencies, and prey on people's kindness or fears, using emotional pleas, threats, or urgency to pressure their victims.
Credit Suisse is committed to protecting you from financial fraud.
We urge you to stay alert to potentially fraudulent emails, calls, text or social media messages related to Coronavirus/COVID-19, even if they purport to come from Credit Suisse or government agencies.
While you may receive business-related calls from Credit Suisse, remain extra vigilant: Hang up immediately and verify the caller's name and details if you believe the call is suspicious. We will not request your personal information, account details, security information, or payments in exchange for investment and/or financing opportunities. We will not contact you from a non-Credit Suisse email address and will not solicit business through social media.
Credit Suisse is a chartered member of Take Five to Stop Fraud, a UK-wide initiative to help identify scams and prevent people becoming victims of fraud.
Being aware of latest tricks and staying alert to potential scams is crucial to staying safe. When confronted with a request for money or information, we urge you to heed Take Five advice:
Government impersonation scams such as fraudulent messages via text, email or social media, claiming to be from the government, HMRC, tax authorities and regulatory bodies, formal press releases on Coronavirus/COVID-19 or notices coming from the World Health Organization (WHO) with misleading information on school closures, lockdowns, stimulus packages (government backed loans) or travel notices.
Potential investment offerings that guarantee unrealistic returns in the current market or investment opportunities on facemasks, test kits, hand-sanitizers or products that falsely claim to prevent, detect or cure Coronavirus/COVID-19.
False donations being solicited to fund efforts to address the pandemic by impersonating charitable or government organizations i.e., NHS, GoFundMe, etc.
Various fraud scams may result in an Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud where criminals may try to deceive you to send payment to an account controlled by the fraudster. APP is more attractive to fraudsters as it is real time and quick, making it almost irrecoverable.
Fraudsters claiming to be from a legitimate firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Victims receive cold calls from fraudsters who promote shares, property or investment opportunities via phone, email or social media and later send a follow up email with a document attached or a DocuSign link.
Fraudsters create a "clone firm," a firm registration number (FRN), address of firms and individuals authorized by FCA, a fake firm website and/or a combination of the above to offer legitimacy. Please access additional information provided by the FCA here.
Investment scams offering bogus fixed corporate bonds purporting to originate from Credit Suisse. Such scams are sent via email or directly via social media, misusing Credit Suisse branding such as employee impersonation or fake websites.
If you may have been targeted in a scam that involves Credit Suisse information or accounts, do not open any related electronic files and report immediately to Credit Suisse at security@credit-suisse.com and the Financial Conduct Authority. Provide all relevant correspondence, email header information, and supporting documentation.
If you believe that you have been defrauded, please report to your local law enforcement. You may also report to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 from within the UK or through their online reporting tool.