At Herbert Scott, we speak to many clients who are rightly cautious about unsolicited calls, online adverts, or messages encouraging them to “act quickly” on an investment opportunity. Unfortunately, scams are becoming more sophisticated, and even financially confident individuals can be targeted.
To help protect consumers, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a new Firm Checker tool designed to make it easier to verify whether a company is genuinely authorised to provide financial services. You can access it here.
What does the Firm Checker do?
The tool allows you to:
- Confirm that a firm is authorised by the FCA
- Check whether it has the right permissions for the services it offers
- Cross‑check contact details to guard against impersonation scams
It takes only a moment to use and offers peace of mind before engaging with any new financial business.
Why this matters?
Most of our clients already know to ignore unexpected investment approaches, but as techniques evolve, scammers are becoming harder to spot. The Firm Checker adds an extra layer of protection – particularly useful if you, a friend or family member are contacted out of the blue by another firm.
We’re always here to help
If you ever feel unsure about a communication you’ve received – whether from a firm, a website or an individual – please do get in touch. We’re more than happy to check it for you.
Staying informed is one of the best ways to protect your financial wellbeing, and tools like the FCA Firm Checker make that easier than ever.