Independent Financial Advisors (IFA)

Independent Financial Advisors

An IFA (independent financial advisor) is someone who gives unbiased advice on how to invest in financial products across the market. What all financial advisers in the UK should have in common is that they’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means there are rules they must follow when dealing with you. Choosing…

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Consider investment fraud victims

Victims of unregulated investment schemes and other financial frauds are frequently overlooked

It is somewhat common knowledge that white-collar criminals regularly dupe innocent investors into handing over their hard-earned cash. During the fallout of such cases, we often, understandably, hear about the perpetrators and their misdemeanours. White-collar criminals become famous. But rarely is a voice is given to victims of unregulated investment fraud and similar crimes. Remember…

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What are recovery room scams?

Fraudsters target investors who've lost money by pretending to be an official who will help them recover the money

A recovery room scam occurs when scammers falsely present themselves as insolvency professionals to recover funds lost in a failed investment. This is a growing problem in the UK so it’s important that you look out for red flags such as: False claims of working for the police, government or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)…

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BBC expose unregulated investment scam

The FCA came under fire following the airing of a BBC Panorama episode on unregulated investment schemes

The BBC has shone a light on a huge investment scheme failure this week in Panorama: The Billion Pound Savings Scandal. The show centres on the failure of unregulated investment scheme Blackmore Bond, which collapsed owing investors over £40m. As per many of these situations, prospective investors were: Nevertheless, the scheme collapsed in April 2020…

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Are liquidation committees necessary?

Liquidation committees provide transparency and help to protect creditors' rights in liquidation procedures

Sometimes when a company is wound up via compulsory liquidation or creditors’ voluntary liquidation (CVL) a liquidation committee is formed to monitor the liquidator’s activities and look after creditors’ interests. Without liquidation committees, liquidators could do as they please and put their own interests over those of creditors. The establishment of a committee gives creditors…

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Beware of the mini-bond market

Mini-bonds are unregulated by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme

A mini-bond is a niche type of unregulated investment that you don’t hear about too often. But here at I&L, we like to discuss topics that will help to protect and educate our clients. As a result, mini-bonds is the focus of this post. So what exactly is a mini-bond? Mini-bonds are a form of…

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