What is Financial Conduct Authority?

Any firm taking customer money in Britain must clear the Financial Conduct Authority, the watchdog that hands out permission to trade and polices how firms behave afterwards. Approved companies are given a firm reference, and companies print it so customers can check it. Biscuit by Zopa shows 800542, and Aviva, Atlantic Money, Charter Savings Bank and Chip each publish one as well. Run the number through the public register and the entry should match the firm holding your savings.