On , the Financial Conduct Authority issued a warning regarding Affordable Loans (clone of FCA authorised firms)
The FCA went on to note that
Almost all firms and individuals carrying out financial services activities in the UK have to be authorised or registered by us. This 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.
You can find out more about this scam tactic and how to protect yourself from clone firms.
Clone firm details
Fraudsters are using or giving out the following details as part of their tactics to scam people in the UK:
Affordable Loans (clone of FCA authorised firms)
Address: New York Street, Leeds, LS2 7DT
135/137 Station Road, Chingford, London, E4 6AG
Telephone: 02071939864, 01792272247, 02031296646
Email: loanapprovalcustomerhelpline@gmail.com,
customeraloanapproval@gmail.com,
Be aware that scammers may give out other false details or mix these with some correct details of the registered firm. They may change contact details over time to new email addresses, telephone numbers or physical addresses.
FCA authorised firm details
This FCA authorised firm that fraudsters are claiming to work for has no association with the ‘clone firm’. It is authorised to offer, promote or sell services or products in the UK and its correct details are:
Firm Name: Leeds City Credit Union Limited, Affordable Loans Limited
Firm Reference Number: 213369, 769057
Address: 2nd Floor
Westminster Buildings 31 New York Street Leeds West Yorkshire, LS2 7DT, UNITED KINGDOM
135-137 Station Road London, E4 6AG, UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +4 401132423343, +4 407983360594
Email: cheryljanesmith@yahoo.co.uk