Unregulated 'advisers' still preying on 'oblivious consumers', warns IFA

Dobson & Hodge financial services director Paul Stocks has warned that more needs to be done to educate consumers about what regulated advice means and how it fits into the bigger picture. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) clamps down on disclosure procedures in regulated firms, he said, yet it fails to steer consumers towards asking the right questions when dealing with unregulated advisers. Stocks said: "The issue in our profession is everyone can stand up and say they are a financial adviser. "If the clients don't know what they are walking into and what questions to ask the...