New! - How to check if a firm is a scam

The Financial Conduct Authority (fca.org.uk) have a new facility (Dec. 2025) on their website called Firm Checker.

If you want to check if a firm is legitimate and what it is legally allowed to do, then this will tell you.

It will also alert you to known 'clone' firms (firms of a similar name or firms pretending to be the real firm).

If you or a relative has been contacted by a firm offering you a 'deal', you should be able to check them out.

Tip: Clone firms are often hard to spot. The number that you are called by can be spoofed. You should find the firms website using a search engine, check that the site looks genuine (e.g. test out all links and pages) and then contact that firm using their email contact address and phone number and ask if the person who contacted you is actually an employee.

Alway pay by credit card (not debit card) even if only part payment is made.

Making a partial credit card payment can "cover you" under the UK's Section 75 law for purchases over £100 (up to £30k), making the card provider equally liable if the retailer fails, even if you only paid a deposit on the card. This means you're protected for the full amount if things go wrong, like the company going bust or goods being faulty, as long as the total item cost (not just the card portion) is within the range and it's a single purchase or set of linked items. 

How Section 75 Partial Payments Work

• The £100-£30,000 Rule: The total item/service value must be over £100 and under £30,000.
• Deposit or Part-Payment: You only need to put any amount on the card (even just £1), and the rest can be paid by cash, debit card, etc..
• Full Protection: You're covered for the entire purchase price, not just the part paid by credit card.

Example: A £500 sofa with a £50 credit card deposit is covered for the full £500.