Fraudsters are getting bolder. This week, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) revealed that nearly 5,000 people reported scams in the first half of 2025 where criminals impersonated the regulator itself. Almost 500 victims handed over money, believing they were dealing with the official body tasked with protecting them. Pause for a moment: what does it … Continue reading When Even the Regulators Are Impersonated: Why Empowerment Matters in a World of Exploitation
Tag: cybersecurity
Why Deregulation Isn’t Growth—It’s a Gift to Financial Criminals
Imagine checking your bank balance only to discover it's wiped clean overnight—your savings gone, your financial security shattered, and your emotional stability thrown into chaos. For millions of people worldwide, this nightmare is a reality. Financial crime isn't merely a statistic; it's a devastating personal crisis. Incredibly, almost half of the global population encounters a … Continue reading Why Deregulation Isn’t Growth—It’s a Gift to Financial Criminals
Post-Growth Objective: Can We Believe Anything the FCA Tells Us About SJP?
Last Tuesday, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) made a startling revelation to the Treasury Committee: internal decisions will now be filtered through its shiny new secondary growth objective. In simpler terms, if transparency threatens the City’s competitiveness or disturbs a “too big to fail” institution, silence prevails. Their justification? Future consumers will supposedly benefit. What … Continue reading Post-Growth Objective: Can We Believe Anything the FCA Tells Us About SJP?
Stay One Step Ahead: Protect Yourself from Fraud in 2025
Fraud has become the most prevalent crime in the UK, affecting millions and causing significant financial and emotional distress. Understanding the current landscape and learning how to protect yourself is crucial. The Current Landscape of Fraud in the UK Recent data reveals that fraud constitutes approximately 40% of all crimes in England and Wales, with … Continue reading Stay One Step Ahead: Protect Yourself from Fraud in 2025
Why It’s Time to Stop Fraud Shaming
Fraud is the most commonly experienced crime in the UK, with millions of incidents reported each year. Yet, beyond the financial loss, victims often carry an additional, unseen burden: the shame and embarrassment of having been deceived. This emotional weight can prevent victims from seeking help, reporting the crime, or even talking about their experience. … Continue reading Why It’s Time to Stop Fraud Shaming
The Dark Side of Financial Trust: A Parallel Between St James’s Place Practices and Coercive Manipulation
In the world of financial services, trust is the cornerstone of client-adviser relationships. However, recent revelations about practices at St James's Place (SJP) bring to light a disturbing parallel between financial exploitation and more insidious forms of coercive manipulation seen in other contexts, such as grooming gangs. While the comparison may seem stark, the underlying … Continue reading The Dark Side of Financial Trust: A Parallel Between St James’s Place Practices and Coercive Manipulation
Addressing Financial Vulnerability: The Latest Insights and Collaborative Strategies for Financial Professionals
Introduction Recent years have intensified financial vulnerabilities among UK citizens, as we reported 9 June 2024 in our blog "Navigating Life Planning with Vulnerable Clients: Best Practices for Life Planners". Financial advisers must stay informed and proactive to support those at risk. This article explores new findings and strategies to help financial planners address client vulnerabilities … Continue reading Addressing Financial Vulnerability: The Latest Insights and Collaborative Strategies for Financial Professionals
Navigating Life Planning with Vulnerable Clients: Best Practices for Life Planners
In the realm of life planning, the ability to identify and address client vulnerability is more crucial than ever. Vulnerable clients require a tailored approach to ensure their unique needs are met and their financial well-being is secured. Here’s a comprehensive guide for life planners on how to adapt your services to effectively support vulnerable … Continue reading Navigating Life Planning with Vulnerable Clients: Best Practices for Life Planners
Academy of Life Planning 