Investment checks · UK examples; use your own country's regulator where applicable
How to check an investment firm's authorisation properly
Verify the legal entity, exact contact details and relevant permissions—not just whether a company appears in a search result.
By Stonebridge Resolution · Published 4 October 2026 · Updated 4 October 2026
AI-generated illustration; not a depiction of a real case.
The short answer
Use the official financial regulator's register and compare the exact entity, contact details and permissions for the proposed service. Registration, authorisation and eligibility for compensation are different questions.
Start with the service being offered
Write down what the firm proposes to do: hold money, manage investments, arrange trades, offer credit or provide another service. A permission relevant to one activity may not cover another.
Ask which legal entity will contract with you and where it operates. A familiar brand can include multiple companies in different jurisdictions. The entity in your agreement matters more than the logo at the top of the website.
Use the register directly
Reach the regulator through an independently verified official website. Search for the legal name and reference number, then inspect the entry rather than relying on a search-engine snippet or screenshot supplied by a salesperson.
For UK claims, FCA consumer guidance explains the risks of unauthorised and clone firms. Check current status, restrictions and contact details. A company-incorporation record is not a substitute for financial-services authorisation.
Match the domain and the people contacting you
A genuine authorisation number can be copied. Compare the exact domain and phone details, then contact the firm through the official listing to confirm the approach and the specific offer.
Be wary of explanations that the register is out of date or that a private messaging number belongs to a special investment team. Verify those claims with the genuine firm rather than accepting the caller's assurance.
Ask separately about consumer protection
Authorisation does not mean every product is approved, low-risk or covered by a compensation scheme. Eligibility can depend on the service, legal entity, customer and nature of the loss.
Ask the provider to identify the relevant complaint and protection arrangements in writing. Verify them independently. Do not treat an overseas licence as equivalent to domestic protection without checking the cross-border rules.
Document the check and keep checking when details change
Save the date of your check, the legal entity and the official source used. If the firm later changes bank details, websites or contractual entities, repeat the verification before sending more money.
If you cannot reconcile the details, pause. A legitimate opportunity should not depend on skipping identity checks. If a payment has already been made, contact the payment provider promptly instead of waiting to resolve every regulatory question yourself.
Checklist
- Identify the contracting legal entity and service.
- Inspect the official register and warnings.
- Confirm exact contact details independently.
- Verify complaint and compensation eligibility separately.
Common questions
Is a certificate of incorporation enough?
No. It shows a company registration, not necessarily permission to provide the financial service being offered.
Does authorisation mean the investment cannot lose money?
No. Authorisation is not a guarantee of investment performance or reimbursement.