Use the FCA’s Financial Services Register or Firm Checker on the official FCA website, and search the firm’s exact name, trading name or reference number. Check that its permissions include debt counselling or another service relevant to the help being offered, rather than assuming that appearing in a search means it is authorised for everything. Be cautious if the details do not match, the firm pressures you to pay quickly or it is listed on the FCA warning list. You can also compare its advice with free support from organisations such as StepChange or Citizens Advice.