It has come to our attention that a syndicate, posing as Clientèle executive employees / authorised representatives, is active on several social media platforms (including Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp and Telegram) and deceiving unknowing customers into investing in phony investment schemes which are purportedly underwritten by Clientèle.
Please note that Clientèle would never send unsolicited communication to customers via social media platforms promoting investment products or opportunities, and no executive employee(s) of Clientèle would ever contact a customer via social media for the sale of investment products or opportunities.
Consumers are accordingly urged to exercise extreme caution before responding to any unsolicited “investment opportunities” being promoted via social media platforms by persons posing to act on behalf of Clientèle and advised, in such case, to contact Clientèles’ customer care centre directly at: (011) 320 3000 or services@clientele.co.za to confirm the authenticity of any relevant communication before responding thereto.
Clientèle Limited is a licensed controlling company of the Clientèle Insurance Group, and both Clientèle Life Assurance Company Limited and Clientèle General Insurance Limited are licensed insurers and authorised Financial Services Providers.
General warning signs of social media investment scams:
- Promises of a very high return on investment with no risk – e.g. double your investment in a very short period of time.
- Urgency to invest money.
- Professional looking investment websites with little or no information about the company.
- If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
What to do when you are contacted by unknown persons regarding “investment opportunities”:
- Take your time and do thorough research before “investing” any funds.
- Don’t share your personal information with a third party until you have verified whether the alleged “investment” is legitimate or not.
- Don’t pay money to anyone who contacted you directly over social media platforms before verifying the source, individual or company.