The FCA has warned that fraudsters are impersonating Coutts through a clone firm using fake contact details and reference numbers. Coutts says it is working to remove fraudulent sites and will never ask clients to move money or share sensitive information in response to unexpected requests.
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned that fraudsters are impersonating Coutts in a clone-firm scam aimed at wealthy clients.
The regulator said the fake operation has used the name Coutts Wealth Management and circulated false contact details, including email addresses, telephone numbers, postal addresses and firm reference numbers.
The warning comes as private banking customers remain a prime target for social-engineering scams that rely on a trusted brand name to appear legitimate.
Coutts said it is working to identify and remove fraudulent websites that misuse its brand. The bank also said it will never ask clients to move money or share sensitive information in response to an unexpected request.
What the FCA said
The FCA told consumers to deal only with firms authorised by the regulator and to use its Firm Checker service before sending money or disclosing personal details.
The emails cited in the warning were jonathansmith@couttswm.com and jonathan.smith@privateclientscoutts.com.
The watchdog has previously issued similar warnings about cloned financial firms, reflecting a wider pattern of scammers copying well-known names to lure victims into handing over cash or data.
Why Coutts is being targeted
Coutts is a private bank owned by NatWest and is closely associated with wealthy and ultra-high-net-worth clients, including the King.
The bank has also raised its minimum client wealth threshold to £3 million, according to earlier reporting, which underlines the exclusivity of its client base and the appeal of the brand to fraudsters.
The Times reported the warning on June 12, 2026 at 15:20 UTC. As of June 13, the FCA warning appears to be an active consumer-protection alert rather than a resolved incident.
What to watch next
Questions remain over whether the FCA warning page carries a public case number, whether any victims have been identified, and whether any money has been lost.
It is also unclear whether Coutts will issue a standalone client notice beyond the statement quoted in the report. The most immediate advice from both the bank and the regulator is to verify any unexpected contact before taking action.
Revision note
Initial automated publication.