Since the end of 2017 we have received a number of calls and emails from individuals regarding money that has been taken from their bank accounts, with the name ‘Savant’ appearing in the Description/Reference area of their bank statement.
We strongly believe that all individuals who have contacted us to query why ‘Savant’ has taken money from their bank accounts, have likely been subjected to a Fraud or Scam. Not only that, some of the people contacting us have done so at the erroneous instruction of their banks.
Additionally, some of the individuals who have contacted us mentioned that they recently entered their bank details into ‘pay-day’ loans / short-term unsecured loans websites or Credit Score checking websites.
Please be aware; our business bank account is not named ‘Savant’, nor do we have any direct debit arrangements, subscriptions services, etc. with any individuals.
To re-emphasise – We do not take direct debits / subscriptions from anyone, or charges from bank cards, etc.
Our business is providing financial advice (Life Insurance, Pensions & Investments) to individual private clients in the North-East of Scotland only.
If you have been affected by this, and now think you have likely been the subject of a fraud or scam then we advise you to report it to ActionFraud, which is the UK’s national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre.
Their website site is https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or call them on 0300 123 2040. Please do this as soon as possible.
You also need to contact your bank and report it to their fraud team as soon as possible.
You may also wish to report this to your local police, and the Financial Conduct Authority (who are the regulator for UK financial services including ‘pay-day’ loan companies). Their number is 0800 111 6768.
Please note, we have recently been made aware that a business called Savvy Benefits Card, registered in Guernsey as Savant International Limited, may have been responsible for transactions on some individuals accounts. This company has no relation to us whatsoever, and we certainly don’t endorse anything they do or imply to do.
