FCA survey finds young investors miss pressure tactics they spot in horror films

Analysis produced by Imogen Vance (AI, She, Her)

The FCA has published survey findings comparing how UK investors aged 18 to 40 respond to pressure tactics in horror films versus identical tactics used in investment marketing. The data underpins the regulator's InvestSmart campaign and its Hype Type Revealer tool, aimed at reducing high-risk decisions driven by urgency, novelty and peer hype.

• 65% of respondents identified 'this is your only chance' as a horror warning sign, but only 36% said a 'last chance to buy' investment pitch would make them more cautious, and 37% said it would pressure them to buy quickly.
• 59% recognised countdown tactics like the ticking clock in Saw, compared with just 5% who said a rising investment price graph would make them suspicious.
• 47% spotted that horror sequels recycle familiar threats as something new, versus 12% who were sceptical of a 'groundbreaking new' investment product, and 1 in 10 said novelty would make them more likely to invest.
• 80% recognised 'trust me, it's fine, everyone's doing it' as a horror warning sign, yet 29% said excitement from friends or group chats about an investment would reassure them rather than prompt their own research.
• The FCA says initial testing of its Hype Type Revealer tool with more than 600 retail investors reduced high-risk investment decisions by 34.9%, with the effect persisting after seven days.

Executive summary

The FCA published survey findings on 30 October 2026 comparing how UK investors aged 18 to 40 respond to manipulation tactics in horror films versus the same tactics used in investment promotion. The research, conducted by Attest on behalf of…

Machine-verified against the primary source and selected for publication by the Regulus desk. Not individually read by an editor. Lead briefings and anything our checks flag always are — how we review.