In recent years, many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters.

These are typically from overseas-based ‘brokers’, working for firms that have become known as ‘boiler rooms’, who target shareholders, offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high risk shares.

These ‘brokers’ can be very persistent and extremely persuasive. Around 5,000 people contact the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) about share fraud each year, with victims losing an average of £20,000. It is not just novice investors who have been duped in this way. Many victims have 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. If you receive any unsolicited investment advice, the FCA recommends that you:

• Reject unexpected offers
• Check the FCA Warning List
• Obtain impartial advice

If you are suspicious, you can report a firm or potential fraud to the FCA on 0800 111 6768 or through www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart.

Bogus offers of personal loan finance

We have become aware that some members of the public have been solicited by certain unconnected third parties using Caledonia Investments’ name, address, company registration number and logo to offer bogus personal loans and who ask for personal information, bank details and an arrangement fee. Caledonia Investments does not offer any personal loan finance and accordingly, although these communications include the company’s details, they are not authorised by us. We therefore strongly advise that any such solicitations should not be responded to in any way.

Solicitations to defraud the company

It has also come to the company’s attention that certain unconnected parties are using Caledonia Investments’ name and the names of current and former directors and employees of the company as a means of soliciting assistance purportedly to defraud the company.

These parties are in no way connected with the named current or former director or employee of Caledonia Investments and the basis stated for perpetrating the defrauding of the company is entirely bogus.

If you are in any doubt about the validity of an apparent communication from the company or any of its directors or employees please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@caledonia.com or telephone on +44 20 7802 8080.