The Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA” or “the Authority”) has become aware that a number of individuals have received unsolicited calls. Such calls have also been received via social media mobile applications. The caller profile of these calls or missed calls may appear to be received from ’MFSA’ or payment services providers/banks.

It appears that the callers are asking consumers to act immediately and provide their bank details or otherwise their bank account will be blocked. The MFSA wishes to inform the public, that these calls do NOT originate from the Authority and it likely relates to a scheme of dubious nature with a high risk of loss of money. The MFSA hereby alerts the general public to never provide such sensitive and confidential information over social media, email, telephone calls or other means to unknown individuals.

It should be noted that the Authority communicates with the public only through official channels. Similarly, banks or other institutions do not contact consumers through such means.

The MFSA would like to remind consumers of financial services not to enter into any financial services transaction unless they have ascertained that the entity with whom the transaction is being made is authorised to provide such services by the MFSA or another reputable financial services regulator. Investors should also be extra cautious when being approached with offers of financial services via unconventional channels such as telephone calls or social media.

For more information on scams please refer to the Scam Detection Guidelines issued by the MFSA at https://www.mfsa.mt/consumers/scams-warnings/typical-scams/. If you are a victim of a scam or any other type of financial scam or think you might be dealing with an unauthorised entity, first of all stop all transactions with the company and contact the Authority at https://www.mfsa.mt/about-us/contact/ as soon as a suspicion arises.

A list of entities licensed by the MFSA can be viewed on the official website of the MFSA at https://www.mfsa.mt/financial-services-register/. For more information on financial scams please refer to the MFSA scam awareness document to keep yourself informed on red flags which help consumers of financial services to identify such financial scams.

If you are a victim of a scam or think you might be dealing with an unauthorised entity or any other type of financial scam, first of all stop all transactions with the company and contact the MFSA at https://www.mfsa.mt/about-us/contact/ as soon as a suspicion arises.