What is the ASIC Investor Alert List?

ASIC publishes the Investor Alert List on Moneysmart. It names firms that ASIC believes are not licensed to offer financial services in Australia, or that may be scams, including fake brokers and impersonators.

How do I check if a company is on the Moneysmart alert list?

Enter the firm name and website at scamai.org and choose Australia. Scam AI checks the live Investor Alert List and the ASIC company register, and shows the official source for any match.

Does a registered ASIC company mean it is safe to invest?

No. Registering a company is cheap and easy. Offering investments needs an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). Scammers often show a real company number, or copy one from a genuine firm.

What if the firm is not on the alert list?

The list only covers firms ASIC has already found. A clean result means not yet flagged, not proven safe. Check domain age, Safe Browsing and reviews too, which Scam AI does in the same search.

What should I do if I already sent money?

Contact your bank straight away, report the scam to ReportCyber and Scamwatch, and be wary of anyone offering to recover your money for a fee. Recovery offers are a common second scam.

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ASIC Moneysmart Investor Alert List Check

Check an Australian investment firm against ASIC's Investor Alert List and company register in one free search, before you send money.

Key Takeaways

ASIC's Investor Alert List names firms that may be unlicensed or scams.
A company number alone proves nothing. Investment firms need an AFSL.
Scam AI checks the alert list and the ASIC company register together.
Not listed means not yet flagged, not proven safe.
Fees to recover lost money are a common follow-up scam.

Why the alert list matters

Fake brokers, crypto platforms and clone firms target Australians through ads, social media and cold calls. ASIC adds firms to the Investor Alert List when it believes they are not licensed or are likely scams. It is the quickest official check before you invest.

Registered company vs licensed firm

Anyone can register an Australian company. Offering financial products needs an Australian Financial Services Licence. Scammers lean on the difference, quoting a real ACN or copying a genuine firm's details. Check that the website, phone number and email match the licensed firm's official record.

What Scam AI checks

ASIC Investor Alert List on Moneysmart.
ASIC company register status, including deregistration.
Domain age and registrar via WHOIS/RDAP.
Google Safe Browsing listings.
ScamAdviser and Sitejabber review signals.

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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 ASIC Investor Alert List?: ASIC publishes the Investor Alert List on Moneysmart. It names firms that ASIC believes are not licensed to offer financial services in Australia, or that may be scams, including fake brokers and impersonators.
How do I check if a company is on the Moneysmart alert list?: Enter the firm name and website at scamai.org and choose Australia. Scam AI checks the live Investor Alert List and the ASIC company register, and shows the official source for any match.
Does a registered ASIC company mean it is safe to invest?: No. Registering a company is cheap and easy. Offering investments needs an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). Scammers often show a real company number, or copy one from a genuine firm.
What if the firm is not on the alert list?: The list only covers firms ASIC has already found. A clean result means not yet flagged, not proven safe. Check domain age, Safe Browsing and reviews too, which Scam AI does in the same search.
What should I do if I already sent money?: Contact your bank straight away, report the scam to ReportCyber and Scamwatch, and be wary of anyone offering to recover your money for a fee. Recovery offers are a common second scam.

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