Protecting Yourself Against Fraud
Important notice for residents of Japan
Important notice for residents of the U.K.
Japan
There are confirmed cases of solicitations on social media (LINE) to joining investment groups which falsely claim to be related to Allspring Global Investments. Allspring is not related to such investment groups and does not engage in introducing, recommending, or soliciting investment projects to individual customers through social media..
If you require further information, please consult the Financial Services Agency or your nearest police station.
The website of Financial Services Agency can be found by clicking this link: https://www.fsa.go.jp/receipt/soudansitu/index.html. On that website can be found an important message titled “Caution against fraudulent investment solicitations!”.
The website of the National Police Agency can be found by clicking this link: https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/sodan/madoguchi/sogo.html. On that website can be found an important message titled: “Caution against SNS-type investment fraud!”.
United Kingdom
We are aware that scams and attempted fraud that misuse the Allspring Global Investments (UK) Limited (“Allspring UK”) name can and do sometimes occur from time to time. Allspring UK is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, Registered Company Number 03710963. Allspring Global Investments (UK) Limited (fca.org.uk)
At first glance an email, a website and/or a social media account(s) may appear to be legitimate.
Fraudsters may attempt any number of scams including:
- Setting up fake websites using plausible domain names and brands and content cloned from legitimate firms. These sites are used to add plausibility to calls and lure other victims.
- Sending emails which look like they have come from a legitimate firm.
- Pretending to be employees of a legitimate firm.
- Calling you with fictitious investment offers.
- Requesting you to provide bank account details for the deposit of funds you are supposedly due in respect of a maturing investment or for payment of an outstanding liability e.g. to the HMRC in settlement of a fictious tax liability.
If you receive an unexpected communication from Allspring UK or an affiliate , please exercise caution and do not share information or remit funds. We do not engage with our clients in this manner. Please be aware that communications in the form of legal and other documentation, our brand and logo, email domains, website, social media accounts and employee names can be digitally cloned by criminals seeking to obtain personal information and money from you through deception with the intent to commit fraud or other bad acts. These criminals are very determined and will do everything possible to convince you that they are legitimate. Only trust email domains, website, social media accounts, SMS / text messages or any other type of electronic media or telephone contact if you have confirmed that it is a legitimate contact from an authorised investment firm.
If you have provided any personal details or money to a suspected fraudster, you may:
- Submit a report to your local police authority. In the UK, this is Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).
- Report it immediately to your bank who may be able to assist you in stopping or recovering funds.
- Report any concerns that you might have to the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”). FCA scam report contact details are on their site: Report a scam | FCA and there are links to the Financial Services Register of authorised firms and the FCA Warning List.
Allspring UK will report any actual and/or attempted fraud to the FCA and other authorities, and take other appropriate action when we are made aware of such events. If you are aware of potentially fraudulent activity where you believe someone may be masquerading as an employee or representative of Allspring UK, any information that you can provide us with may be useful to us in our own investigations and reporting to the FCA and may provide evidence that will assist us in working with authorities to take steps to suspend/take down fake websites, email domains and social media accounts. Please email internationalcomplaints@allspringglobal.com attaching any suspicious email(s)/correspondence you have received. Unfortunately, we will not be able to share the results of any investigation with you.