How to verify a financial company before using its service
A jurisdiction-first checklist for checking a financial company's legal identity, regulator, permissions, website, and customer terms.
This is general consumer education, not legal or financial advice. Rules and register entries can change; check the current official record for the relevant service and jurisdiction.
Identify the legal entity and jurisdiction
Find the contracting entity in the current terms, not just the brand name. Determine which country regulates the service and where you are being onboarded. Similar brands can belong to different legal entities.
Check an official register
Use the regulator's own register and search by legal name, registration or licence number, and official domain. Verify the current status, authorised activities, restrictions, and customer eligibility.
Compare the actual offer
Read the fees, risk disclosures, custody or client-money terms, withdrawal rules, and complaint process. A register entry does not confirm that a particular offer is suitable or that every claim on a website is accurate.
Official sources
- FCA RegisterUK financial regulator
- ASIC register searchAustralian regulator
- FSCA FSP searchSouth African regulator
These links are starting points for checking current records. Their inclusion is not an endorsement and does not verify a particular company or offer.
Frequently asked questions
Is a company profile or customer rating a verification?
No. Reviews report customer experiences; they do not establish legal identity, a licence, or regulatory approval.
Which regulator should I check?
It depends on the product, legal entity, and jurisdiction. Use the official register for the authority responsible for that activity.