The FCA has warned of an attempt by fraudsters to cheat investors using the Money Saving Expert name.

Scammers are using the name of the company and may be using some correct details mixed with false ones in a bid to hoodwink victims.

Millions of consumers use the Money Saving Expert website, founded by journalist Martin Lewis, for personal finance news and guidance.

The clone was said to be using the phone numbers 01233 800623 and 0203 488 1068.

The genuine firm’s details are:

Firm Name: Moneysavingexpert.com Limited 

Firm Reference Number: 587302

Address: 19-22 Rathbone Place London W1T 1HY United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 1244665700

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.moneysavingexpert.com

The FCA said: “Almost all firms and individuals carrying out financial services activities in the UK have to be authorised or registered by us.

“This (clone) firm is not authorised or registered by us but has been targeting people in the UK, claiming to be an authorised firm.

“This is what we call a 'clone firm'; and fraudsters usually use this tactic when contacting people out of the blue, so you should be especially wary if you have been cold called.

“They may use the name of the genuine firm, the 'firm reference number' (FRN) we have given the authorised firm or other details.”

The authority warned investors to only deal with firms authorised by them and to check the register at https://register.fca.org.uk if unsure.