Moneygate

Getting structured investment solutions right the Moneygate way

Getting the right financial product and finding good structured investment solutions can be complicated, and unfortunately there are some unscrupulous people who will take advantage of this to try to part you from your money. However according to national IFA Moneygate, there’s plenty you can do to protect yourself from dodgy salesmen, bad deals and outright fraud.

Here are a few tips to help steer you to a good deal:

Think First: You can help protect yourself by firstly knowing the right questions to ask before you start buying any financial service or start seeking advice.

Be realistic and clear about your needs: Decide what it is you are after and what you don’t need before starting your search for structured investment solutions.

Buying a financial product: When buying insurance, getting a mortgage or financial advice, always make sure that the firm you use is on the Financial Services Authority Register before handing over your money. If they aren’t regulated by the FSA and things go wrong, you won't have access to complaints and compensation procedures.

Whether its best pension plans, best investment returns, cheap life cover or best mortgage rates make sure they are IFA regulated.

Taking Advice: You can use an adviser to help you shop around, but you need to be clear on the limits of their advice. Some advisers can tell you about all the products on the market while others will only tell you about their own company’s products. An independent adviser will be able to advise on a broader range of products.

Proving your identity: Financial firms need to check you are who you say you are to prevent money laundering and fraud. While it may be irritating to have to provide documents to prove your identity and your address, it is for your protection as much as theirs.

Keep your paperwork safe: Check your bank statements regularly and make sure all transactions they list are yours. Contact your bank immediately if anything is wrong.

Check all your paperwork and keep it safe – this includes keeping photocopies of any completed forms, letters and papers you send off to a firm.

Annabel Green of Moneygate said: “These are simple guidelines but they need to be followed to ensure that people do not lose out unnecessarily.  Always get the best independent advice and take your time when choosing.”

For more information go to www.moneygate.co.uk