A polished brochure or a familiar-looking company name is not evidence that a property offer is genuine. Pause before transferring money, especially when the proposal comes with pressure to decide quickly.
Identify the transaction
Write down what you would own, who would hold your money and what contract would govern the arrangement. A property purchase, a loan to a developer and an investment in a pooled scheme are different transactions. Ask an independent professional to explain anything you cannot clearly describe yourself.
Verify identity independently
For regulated financial services, use the FCA's official checking tools and confirm the firm's permissions and contact details. The FCA warns about scammers impersonating genuine firms. Contact a business using independently verified details rather than a number supplied in an unexpected message.
Do not mistake registration for protection
A company record is one check, not approval of an investment. Do not assume that every property-related arrangement is FCA-regulated or covered by compensation protections. Confirm the status of the specific activity and the implications with an appropriate adviser.
Keep control of the decision
Treat guaranteed returns, unexplained urgency and requests to send money to an unrelated account as reasons to stop and investigate. Obtain independent legal advice before signing or transferring funds. If you suspect a scam after paying, contact your bank promptly and use the official reporting channels.
Editorial review: 14 October 2026. This original Property Perpetuity guide replaces the imported text; the original archive publication date is retained.