How do I check if a company is on the FCA Warning List?

Enter the firm name and website at scamai.org. We scrape the live FCA list, match against the URL and trading name, and flag any hit as a hard red verdict alongside the official source link.

Does being on the FCA list always mean the firm is a scam?

Effectively yes for UK consumers. A listed firm is either operating without permission or impersonating an authorised one — both situations leave you outside FSCS protection and the Financial Ombudsman scheme.

What about clone firms?

Clones copy the name and FCA reference number of a legitimate firm but use a different website, phone number or email. Always cross-check the contact details against the FCA Register entry, not just the firm name.

Is the FCA Warning List complete?

No. The FCA only adds firms after consumer reports or its own enforcement work, so the list lags behind active scams. Treat a clean result as 'not yet flagged', not 'definitely safe'. Scam AI also checks WHOIS, Safe Browsing, OpenSanctions and reviews for a fuller picture.

What should I do if a firm I dealt with is on the list?

Stop sending money immediately, report the firm to the FCA via fca.org.uk/scamsmart, contact your bank's fraud team to attempt a chargeback, and report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).

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FCA Warning List Check

The FCA Warning List names firms operating in the UK without authorisation — including clone firms. Run a free real-time check before sending money or handing over ID.

Key Takeaways

The FCA Warning List is the UK's primary registry of unauthorised firms — including clones of real banks and brokers.
Firms appear here after consumer reports — the list lags behind active scams, so 'not listed' is not the same as 'safe'.
Scam AI scrapes the live list and matches against your URL and company name in seconds.
Dealing with a listed firm puts you outside FSCS protection and the Financial Ombudsman scheme.
Clone-firm scams reuse a real FCA reference number — always verify contact details, not just the name.

What is the FCA Warning List?

The Financial Conduct Authority publishes a continuously updated list of firms providing financial services in the UK without the permissions required by law. It covers unregistered brokers, clone firms, fake investment platforms, boiler-room callers and unauthorised crypto promotions. Most UK investment scams end up on this list eventually — but only after consumers report losses.

How Scam AI checks the FCA list

When you enter a UK firm at scamai.org, we scrape the official FCA Warning List page in real time, then match it against your URL host and the words in the trading name. Any hit forces an immediate red verdict, with the exact text snippet and the official source link surfaced in your results so you can confirm independently.

Clone firms — the most common UK investment scam

Clone firms copy the trading name and FCA reference number of a real authorised firm, then point you at a different website, phone number or email. The FCA publishes clone alerts inside the same warning list — Scam AI surfaces these exactly the same way as standalone warnings.

The defence: never trust a contact channel emailed or texted to you. Look up the firm on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk and only ever use the phone number and website listed there.

What to do if a firm you used is on the list

Stop sending money or sharing ID immediately.
Report to the FCA via fca.org.uk/scamsmart.
Call your bank's fraud team and request a chargeback or APP-fraud reimbursement.
Report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk.
If crypto was involved, freeze any wallet on-ramp accounts and notify the exchange.

Beyond the FCA list

The FCA list only covers firms it has been told about. Scam AI complements it with OpenSanctions (80+ global enforcement lists), Google Safe Browsing, WHOIS history, Trustpilot, ScamAdviser and a UK Companies House beneficial-ownership lookup — so a firm that is brand new or operates abroad still surfaces a verdict.

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Scam AI cross-references regulator blacklists, business registries, WHOIS history and global fraud reports — in real time, free, no signup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FCA Warning List?: The Financial Conduct Authority publishes a public list of firms operating in the UK without authorisation, including clone firms imitating real ones. It's the single most important UK reference for spotting investment scams.
How do I check if a company is on the FCA Warning List?: Enter the firm name and website at scamai.org. We scrape the live FCA list, match against the URL and trading name, and flag any hit as a hard red verdict alongside the official source link.
Does being on the FCA list always mean the firm is a scam?: Effectively yes for UK consumers. A listed firm is either operating without permission or impersonating an authorised one — both situations leave you outside FSCS protection and the Financial Ombudsman scheme.
What about clone firms?: Clones copy the name and FCA reference number of a legitimate firm but use a different website, phone number or email. Always cross-check the contact details against the FCA Register entry, not just the firm name.
Is the FCA Warning List complete?: No. The FCA only adds firms after consumer reports or its own enforcement work, so the list lags behind active scams. Treat a clean result as 'not yet flagged', not 'definitely safe'. Scam AI also checks WHOIS, Safe Browsing, OpenSanctions and reviews for a fuller picture.
What should I do if a firm I dealt with is on the list?: Stop sending money immediately, report the firm to the FCA via fca.org.uk/scamsmart, contact your bank's fraud team to attempt a chargeback, and report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).