england-and-wales debt
What are the implications of a debt collection company not being registered in England?
<p>It has been said that a debt management company in England must be registered as such in England. What are the implications of one operating despite apparently being registered in Ireland? And how can one find out whether a given company is duly so registered?</p>

<p>Debt Management is a regulated activity and has to be authorised by the <a href="https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/authorisation/how-to-apply/debt-firms/forms" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Financial Conduct Authority</a> (FCA).</p>
<p>To find out whether a company is authorised, one may search the FCA's <a href="https://register.fca.org.uk/s/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Financial Services Register</a>.</p>
<p>If it is a limited company, a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/get-information-about-a-company" rel="nofollow noreferrer">search of Companies House</a> should reveal, among other things, its registered office.</p>
<p>The FCA also has a searchable <a href="https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/unauthorised-firms-individuals" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Warnings List</a> detailing those unauthorised firms and individuals that they are aware of. Note that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If you deal with an unauthorised firm you will not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>All searches a free.</p>

<p>To add to Rick's answer; the place of registration is irrelevant. If the activity is regulated under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, then what matters is where the activity takes place, per <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/8/section/19" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Section 19(1)</a> (emphasis mine):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>No person may <strong>carry on a regulated activity in the United Kingdom</strong>,
or purport to do so, unless he is —</p>
<p>(a) an authorised person; or</p>
<p>(b) an exempt person.</p>
</blockquote>
