Protecting your shareholding

Share fraud

Over the past few years, many companies have become aware that their shareholders have been contacted out of the blue with offers to buy or sell shares. The callers can be very persistent and extremely persuasive. They may offer to sell shares that turn out to be worthless or non-existent, or to buy shares at an inflated price in return for an upfront payment. While high profits are promised, shareholders often lose money.

The Financial Conduct Authority estimates that victims lose an average of £20,000.

It is not just the novice investor that has been duped in this way; many of the victims had been successfully investing for several years.

Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free company reports.

 

How to avoid share fraud

For information on how to avoid share fraud, please refer to a share fraud warning leaflet issued by the Financial Conduct Authority and the ICSA Registrars Group.

 

Find out more

You can find out more information on how share fraud works, how to spot and avoid scams and what to do if you are scammed on the Financial Conduct Authority website.

 

Unsolicited mail

Johnson Matthey Plc is obliged by law to make its share register available for inspection and as a consequence some shareholders may receive unsolicited mail.

If you wish to limit the amount of unsolicited mail you receive, you can register with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS).

 

How to register

Registering with the MPS, an independent organisation which offers a free service to the public, will help stop most unsolicited consumer advertising.

Online

Visit the Mailing Preference Service website.

By telephone

Call the MPS Registration Line on +44 20 7291 3310.

By post

The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) DMA House 70 Margaret Street London W1W 8SS.