The FCA has issued a public warning about an unauthorised investment firm called Charles Dickins Ltd (sic) which may be providing or promoting financial services products without permission.

The watchdog says consumers should, “avoid dealing with this firm and beware of scams.”

It is not believed the firm has any connection to the estate of famous author Charles Dickens.

The FCA says the firm, which has two addresses in the UK, has not been authorised by the regulator and may be targeting people in the UK.

The website for the firm was still live this morning stating it specialises in "trading, investments and insolvency."

The company’s website adds: “Charles Dickins is a diversified organisation that provides various financial and investment services in some other part of the world. Since we were founded we have offered and continue to offer innovative investment options coupled with value added services in financial services space. (sic)"

The firm claims to offer ‘security’, 'dispute regulation' and ‘portfolio growth.’

The firm’s website has a warning at the bottom of the homepage, however, that: “Charles Dickins do not deal with or sell regulated investment products and is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).”

The two addresses in the UK used by Charles Dickins Ltd are: Long Barrow Stow Road, Baunton, Cirencester, GL7 5E and 24a Greville Street, Farrigdon, EC1N 8SS. The website address is: https://charlesdickinsam.co.uk/.

The firm is using a UK registered company number: CRN:00189860.

The FCA warned that: “Some firms may give incorrect contact details, including postal addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. They may change these contact details over time. They may also give you details that belong to another business or individual, so the information looks genuine.”

The regulator warns that anyone buying investments from an unauthorised firm would have no access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong.

The FCA has also reiterated its warning that consumers should only deal with financial firms authorised by the FCA. The firm has been added to the FCA register as an unauthorised firm.

Charles Dickins Ltd has been asked for comment.