Investment Scams Alert

HMC Capital has been made aware of scams where unauthorised persons falsely impersonating representatives of HMC Capital are approaching members of the public via calls, emails or social media channels to market fraudulent investment scheme, to obtain personal information, or to provide unauthorised payment confirmation.

 If you are ever contacted by a representative of HMC Capital via email it will always come from an address in the form of “@hmccapital.com.au” only. If you are unable to verify such persons’ identities and confirm their connection with HMC Capital, please do not provide these individuals with your personal/corporate data or respond to any fund transfer request. Please do not open hyperlinks, attachments and QR codes from any unfamiliar sources. Be suspicious of anyone offering you easy money. Investment scams often involve promises of big payouts for little or no risk, quick money, or guaranteed returns.

What is an investment scam?

An investment scam is a fake investment opportunity presented to individuals by scammers who impersonate real people from financial services entities. Investment scams often involve promises of big payouts, quick money or guaranteed returns. These are often supported by sophisticated fake disclosure documents and application material and may impose time pressures to invest.

How can I avoid being scammed?

Treat any unsolicited contact from financial service entities or individuals who are not your trusted financial adviser with suspicion. Before investing, always remember to:

  • Check if a financial advisor is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and holds an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence.
  • Check ASIC's list of companies you should not deal with. Do not deal with any companies included on that list.
  • Search for the company online plus "review", "complaint" or "scam".
  • Refer to the MoneySmart website for further information on how to avoid investment scams.
  • Contact the company directly through their official website, as criminals often impersonate legitimate companies and employees.
  • Make sure email addresses you're given are the same as the registered company's. Slight differences, such as a '1' instead of an 'i', can be hard to spot.

What should I do if I think I am the target of a scam?

Report the scam to the ASIC using the online reporting tool at https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/contact-us/complaints-about-companies-organisations-or-people/scams/ and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) via its scamwatch service at https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/.

If you suspect you are being targeted with any fake or copy websites, or that your identity has been obtained or is being used by someone else, you should promptly file a complaint with the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) at https://www.cyber.gov.au/report-and-recover/report. 

Is there any additional information or resources available to help me identify potential scams?

For general information on your online safety: https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au For learning more about recognising and reporting scams: https://www.cyber.gov.au/learn/scams For information about protecting your identity: https://www.idcare.org