How do I check if a company is licensed by BNM?

Check the list of licensed financial institutions on the official BNM website, or call BNM TELELINK at 1-300-88-5465 on working days. Also search the company name in the Financial Consumer Alert list to see whether it has been flagged.

What is the difference between BNM's FCA and the SC's IAL?

BNM's Financial Consumer Alert (FCA) lists entities that are not licensed or approved under laws administered by BNM. The SC's Investor Alert List (IAL) lists entities and websites suspected of carrying out capital market activities without a licence.

Does SSM registration mean a company is licensed by BNM?

No. SSM registers businesses and companies but does not license financial activities. A company that takes deposits or offers investments needs a licence or approval from BNM or the SC in addition to SSM registration.

The company has the same name as a licensed firm. Is that enough?

No. Scammers often copy the names, logos and websites of legitimate companies. Make sure the registration number, website address and phone number match BNM or SC records, and contact the company through its official channels.

Guide

How to check a BNM or SC licence before investing

To check a BNM licence, look up the company in the list of licensed financial institutions on the Bank Negara Malaysia website or call BNM TELELINK at 1-300-88-5465. For capital market investments, check the licensed persons list on the Securities Commission (SC) website. Also search BNM's FCA list and the SC's IAL. Not being on an alert list does not mean a company is licensed.

Check a company name →

Already transferred money? Call 997 (NSRC) now — 24 hours. How to report a scam →

When to check a BNM licence

BNM licenses banks, insurers and takaful operators, money changers, remittance services, e-wallets and other financial institutions. Anyone taking deposits or offering these products must be licensed or approved by BNM.

The list of licensed financial institutions is on the BNM website. If in doubt, contact BNM TELELINK at 1-300-88-5465 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or telelink.bnm.gov.my.

When to check an SC licence

The SC regulates the capital market: stockbrokers, fund managers, investment advisers, equity crowdfunding platforms and digital asset exchanges. Anyone offering these services must be licensed or registered with the SC.

Check the licensed and registered entities at www.sc.com.my. For enquiries, contact the SC at 03-6204 8999 or aduan@seccom.com.my.

A complete check, step by step

Search the company, scheme and website names in BNM's FCA list and the SC's IAL using our search.
Check the BNM or SC licence lists for the relevant type of service.
Make sure the name, registration number and website match the official record, because scammers often clone legitimate company names.
Check company registration through SSM e-Info. Remember that SSM registration is not a financial licence.
Check the recipient's account number in SemakMule.

The limits of alert lists

The FCA and IAL lists only include entities that have already been identified. New schemes may not be listed yet, and scammers often change names. So confirm that a company actually holds a licence, not just that it is missing from an alert list.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a company is licensed by BNM?: Check the list of licensed financial institutions on the official BNM website, or call BNM TELELINK at 1-300-88-5465 on working days. Also search the company name in the Financial Consumer Alert list to see whether it has been flagged.
What is the difference between BNM's FCA and the SC's IAL?: BNM's Financial Consumer Alert (FCA) lists entities that are not licensed or approved under laws administered by BNM. The SC's Investor Alert List (IAL) lists entities and websites suspected of carrying out capital market activities without a licence.
Does SSM registration mean a company is licensed by BNM?: No. SSM registers businesses and companies but does not license financial activities. A company that takes deposits or offers investments needs a licence or approval from BNM or the SC in addition to SSM registration.
The company has the same name as a licensed firm. Is that enough?: No. Scammers often copy the names, logos and websites of legitimate companies. Make sure the registration number, website address and phone number match BNM or SC records, and contact the company through its official channels.

Short guides to the scam tactics common in Malaysia, how to check bank accounts, phone numbers and licences, and what to do right away if you have been hit.