How to use the Financial Services Register to confirm a bank, insurer, or adviser is genuinely authorised before you buy or hand over money.
Last reviewed: 1 July 2026
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REGULATIONS |
Before buying a financial product or insurance policy in the UK, it is possible to check whether the firm involved is genuinely authorised to sell it. The main tool for this is the Financial Services Register, maintained by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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KEY FACTS
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What the Financial Services Register actually shows
A search on the register shows a firm's authorisation status, the specific activities it is permitted to carry out, and any restrictions attached to that authorisation. For firms regulated by both the PRA and the FCA, such as most insurers, the register shows both authorisations.
Why checking matters
Firms claiming to be authorised sometimes are not, and scammers occasionally clone the details of a genuinely authorised firm to appear legitimate. Checking the register directly, rather than trusting contact details supplied by the firm itself, is the safer approach.
What to do if a firm does not appear on the register
If a firm cannot be found on the register, or its details do not match what has been provided, it should not be treated as authorised. Unauthorised firms are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if something goes wrong.
How to search the Financial Services Register
| Step | Action |
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| 1 | Go to register.fca.org.uk |
| 2 | Search by firm name or Firm Reference Number (FRN) |
| 3 | Check the status shows as "Authorised" |
| 4 | Check the specific activities listed match what you are being offered |
| 5 | Check the contact details match what the firm itself has given you |
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Worked Example: Contact details that do not match A person is contacted by a firm claiming to be an FCA-authorised broker and given a phone number to call. A search of the Financial Services Register shows a genuinely authorised firm of that name, but with a different phone number and address to the ones provided. This mismatch is a known clone-firm warning sign: the safer step is to use only the contact details shown on the register itself, not the ones supplied by the caller. |
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This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rules and limits can change: always check the current position with the regulator or scheme concerned before relying on any figure here. |
Is the Financial Services Register free to use?
Yes, the register is free to search and is maintained directly by the FCA.
Does being on the register guarantee protection if a firm fails?
Authorisation is a requirement for FSCS protection to apply, but the level of protection still depends on the type of product, as set out in the FSCS's own rules.
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Related Guides |
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Sources |
