How to Check if a UK Lender Is FCA-Authorised

Why it matters, how to do it in minutes, and red flags to avoid.

When you apply for credit in the UK — whether it’s a short-term loan, personal loan, credit card, or any form of consumer finance — the lender must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Borrowing from an unauthorised lender can leave you unprotected, at risk of scams, and without access to free dispute resolution through the Financial Ombudsman.

The good news? Checking whether a UK lender is FCA-authorised takes less than two minutes if you know where to look. Here’s everything you need to know.

Why FCA Authorisation Matters

The FCA regulates firms that provide consumer credit in the UK. If a firm is authorised, it means:

• ✔ They meet strict standards for treating customers fairly

• ✔ They follow rules on affordability checks, interest caps, and fair collections

• ✔ You’re protected through the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)

• ✔ Your data and payments are handled securely

• ✔ You avoid illegal and unauthorised lenders

If a lender is not authorised, they must not offer consumer credit. Doing so is illegal.

1. Use the Official FCA Register (The Most Reliable Method)

The FCA Register is the official public database of every authorised lender, broker, and financial firm in the UK.

Step-by-step

1. Go to the FCA Register (search “FCA Register” in Google).

2. Type in the lender’s:

   • company name

   • trading name

   • postcode

   • FRN (Firm Reference Number), if you have it

3. Click on the correct firm from the results.

4. Check for:

   • “Authorised” status

   • Permissions for “consumer credit” or “credit broking”

   • Trading names that match the brand you are dealing with

   • Addresses that match the website

What you should see

• A green “Authorised” label

• A Firm Reference Number (FRN)

• Details of the permissions they hold

• A list of approved people or controlled functions

If anything doesn’t match, stop immediately.

2. Use the FCA’s “Warning List” for Scams and Clone Firms

The FCA maintains a Warning List of unauthorised firms pretending to be legitimate lenders.

Search: “FCA Warning List”

Use this to check if:

• The company is unregistered

• The firm is cloning the identity of a regulated lender

• The contact details are suspicious

If a firm appears on the list:❌ Do not apply❌ Do not give bank details❌ Do not pay upfront fees

3. Check the Lender’s Website for FCA Details

Every regulated lender must publish:

• Their FCA Firm Reference Number (FRN)

• A statement such as: “Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority”

• Their registered address

Red flags on a website:

• No FCA number

• Fake or unverifiable FRN

• Multiple spelling errors or generic copy

• No company address or only a PO box

• “Guaranteed acceptance” loans — these are not allowed under FCA rules

• Pressuring you to apply fast

If the website doesn’t clearly show its FCA details, it’s safest to avoid it.

4. Validate the Company at Companies House

This is optional but helpful. Go to Companies House (the UK business registry) and check:

• The legal company name

• Registered address

• Trading status (active or dissolved)

• Directors

• Incorporation date

Compare this with the information on the FCA Register.

If the details don’t match, it's a strong indicator something isn't right.

5. Check Reviews — But Don’t Rely on Them Alone

Reviews on places like Trustpilot can help — but scammers also create fake profiles.

Use reviews to spot:

• Patterns of complaints

• Claims of upfront fees

• Unusual payment requests

• Suspicious or repetitive 5-star reviews

Reviews should support what you already verified on the FCA Register — not replace it.

Common Red Flags of an Unauthorised Lender

Avoid lenders that:

• Ask for upfront fees to “unlock” a loan

• Request payments via bank transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency

• Have no FCA number on the website

• Give an FRN that doesn’t match their company name

• Say you are “pre-approved” without an affordability check

• Operate from personal email addresses (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)

• Pressure you to decide immediately

These practices are not allowed under FCA rules.

What to Do If You Suspect a Lender Is Not FCA-Authorised

If you think you’ve been contacted by an unauthorised lender:

1. Stop all communication

2. Do not send money or personal information

3. Report it through the FCA website

4. If you already sent money, contact your bank immediately

Summary: The Quickest Way to Check if a UK Lender Is FCA-Authorised

Your checklist:

✔ Search the lender on the FCA Register

✔ Confirm they have permissions for consumer credit

✔ Verify that the FRN and address match their website

✔ Look for red flags like upfront fees

✔ Check the FCA Warning List for clones or unauthorised firms

If the details don’t match — walk away.