FCA: clone firm 'PCPHero / motorrefunds.co.uk' uses an authorised firm's former trading name
On 27 October 2026 the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a clone firm warning about "PCPHero / motorrefunds.co.uk". The FCA says the firm is not authorised but has been contacting people while pretending…
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Source: fca.org.uk · published
What happened
On 27 October 2026 the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a clone firm warning about "PCPHero / motorrefunds.co.uk". The FCA says the firm is not authorised but has been contacting people while pretending to be an authorised firm. It says fraudsters are using the email wecare@pcphero.co.uk and the website motorrefunds.co.uk. The FCA notes that the clone uses a previous trading name of the genuine authorised firm, Bamboo Marketing NW Limited (firm reference number 930314), but that the website is not connected to it. The FCA says the genuine firm has no connection with the clone. The authorised firm is the impersonated party, is not involved and is not accused of wrongdoing.
How the scam works
A clone firm copies the name or identity of an authorised firm so that a victim who checks the FCA Register finds a real entry and assumes the caller is genuine. Here the FCA says the clone is using a previous trading name of the real firm, together with a different website and email address. The FCA's page does not explain what the clone offered or how people were approached, so no specific method is claimed.
Clone firms use real firms' names, details or Firm Reference Numbers, and may mix false details with genuine ones. The FCA warns that scammers may give out other false details, including email addresses, telephone numbers, postal addresses and Firm Reference Numbers, and may change their contact details over time.
People who deal with an unauthorised firm will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service if they want to complain, and will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong, so it is unlikely they would get their money back if the firm collapsed. The FCA also says people who sent money to a fraudster on or after 7 October 2024 may be covered by protections introduced by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR). The authorised firm's correct details are on the FCA Register; use those, not details supplied by the person who contacted you.
Source
Financial Conduct Authority, clone firm warning "PCPHero / motorrefunds.co.uk" (27 October 2026).
Red flags
- Contact from a firm that claims to be FCA-authorised but whose details don't match the FCA Register.
- A website address or email domain different from the authorised firm's.
- A Firm Reference Number that is quoted but doesn't match the firm on the Register.
- Contact details that mix real and unfamiliar information.
- An unexpected approach, or pressure to pay or give personal details.
If you were targeted
- 1Look the firm up on the FCA Register and contact it only through the details listed there, not those you were given.
- 2Don't send money or personal details to the clone, and stop contact.
- 3If you've paid, tell your bank at once and ask about recovery protections, including PSR rules for payments made on or after 7 October 2024.
- 4Report the clone to the FCA (0800 111 6768 or its contact form) and consider Action Fraud.
- 5Tell the genuine firm about the contact so it can warn others.