The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has issued a stark warning to consumers: be cautious of unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to represent licensed financial services providers. These callers are allegedly offering investment advice or other financial services, but the MFSA has stated that they may be scams.

According to the MFSA, people have been receiving calls from persons falsely claiming to act on behalf of licence holders. Consumers should independently verify the identity of any caller through official channels before engaging in further communication or financial transactions. The authority has also advised against acting under pressure and sharing confidential or sensitive information with unknown callers.

The MFSA's warning is clear: do not enter into any financial services transaction unless you have confirmed 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 cautious when approached via unconventional channels, such as telephone calls or social media.

To help consumers verify the authenticity of a caller, the MFSA has provided guidance on how to confirm the identity of a licence holder and their official channels. A list of entities licensed by the MFSA is available online for reference.

If you suspect that you are dealing with an unauthorised entity or have fallen victim to a scam, stop all transactions immediately and contact the MFSA for assistance. The authority has also reminded consumers that they can verify the authenticity of a licence holder through official channels before engaging in any further communication or financial transactions.