# Checking a Financial Firm

> Use the FCA Register and Warning List to check a firm or adviser is authorised, spot clone firms, and confirm you are protected before you invest.

Canonical page: [/investing-pensions/checking-a-financial-firm](/investing-pensions/checking-a-financial-firm/) · Last reviewed: 2026-08-22

Before you invest, transfer a pension or take financial advice, check the firm is authorised by the FCA. It is free, quick, and one of the most important steps you can take to avoid a scam.

## Key information

- Only deal with firms authorised by the FCA where authorisation is required
- Use the FCA Register to check a firm, and the ScamSmart Warning List
- Beware "clone firms" that copy a genuine firm’s details
- Authorisation matters for your right to the Ombudsman and FSCS

## Using the FCA Register

The Financial Conduct Authority keeps a public register of every firm and individual it authorises. Search for the firm by name and check that the reference number, address and permissions match who you are actually dealing with. Always use the phone number and website listed on the Register itself, not the contact details the firm gives you. You can also [browse firms in our directory](/tools-calculators/financial-directory).

Dealing with an authorised firm matters for your protection: it is generally what gives you the right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service and, if the firm fails, potential cover from the [Financial Services Compensation Scheme](/banking-savings/fscs-protection). Note that authorisation is not a blanket guarantee — a firm can carry out some activities that are not regulated.

## Watch out for clone firms

A common scam is the "clone firm", where fraudsters copy the name, registration number and even the website of a genuine authorised firm to appear legitimate. They then give you slightly different contact details to divert your money.

To guard against this, always contact the firm using the details on the FCA Register rather than those in an email, advert or phone call. If anything does not match exactly, stop and check further.

## The FCA Warning List

The FCA also publishes a Warning List of firms and individuals it knows are operating without authorisation or running possible scams. Checking a firm against ScamSmart and the Warning List is a quick way to spot known problems before you part with any money.

If a firm is not authorised, is not on the Register, or appears on the Warning List, do not deal with it. If you have already handed over money or information, [report it to the FCA and Action Fraud](/banking-savings/fraud-and-scams) straight away.

## Your rights

- Dealing with an FCA-authorised firm generally gives you access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and potential FSCS protection if the firm fails.
- You can report an unauthorised firm, or a suspected clone, to the FCA.
- FCA authorisation does not mean every product or activity is regulated or protected — always check the specific product.

## Official sources

- [Check a firm or adviser on the FCA Register](https://register.fca.org.uk)
- [FCA ScamSmart — avoid pension and investment scams](https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart)
- [Financial Ombudsman Service](https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk)

## Related

- [Pension Scams](/investing-pensions/pension-scams/)
- [Investing for Beginners](/investing-pensions/investing-for-beginners/)
- [FSCS Protection](/banking-savings/fscs-protection/)
- [Firm Checker](/tools-calculators/firm-checker/)

## Sources

- FCA — [Check the Financial Services Register](https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/using-financial-services-register) (accessed 2026-08-22)
- FCA — [ScamSmart — how to avoid scams](https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart) (accessed 2026-08-22)