G R Ranking Limited – which trades as Paydayloan.co.uk – is based at 36 Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire, and claims to be the UK’s number one independent payday loans resource site.

The regulator stated: “Based upon information we hold, we believe it is carrying on regulated activities which require authorisation.”

According to the FCA, the company is using the email address [email protected] and telephone numbers: 03303 800 240, 0333 112 071 and 01138 300 963.

Paydayloan.co.uk’s website states: “Our goal is to help provide as much information as transparently as possible on the UK payday loans sector…”

It also says it began life as “the first online lender in 1998”, but is no longer active in any direct lending activities.

Instead, it states that its site has the goal of being the most comprehensive, impartial and free resource site for anything to do with payday loans in the UK.

However, the watchdog said that the firm was not FCA-authorised and believes it is targeting people in the UK.

The FCA has strongly advised customers to only deal with financial firms it regulates and to check the Financial Services Register to ensure they are.

The regulator added: “You should also be aware that if you give money to an unauthorised firm, you will not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong.”

DISCLAIMER: Since publication, Paydayloan.co.uk has temporarily closed its website for maintenance and security improvements. 

It has also stated that it does not lend money to anyone and told customers to beware of anyone cold calling and claiming to be from Paydayloan.co.uk and offering loans as it will be a scam.