All firms who provide regulated financial services in Ireland are authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBOI) or a corresponding regulator in another EEA member state. If you engage with an unauthorised firm, you will lose the protections of regulation which are designed to look after you if things go wrong. For instance, you will lose the protection of the following: The Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS): this scheme protects you if you have money in a bank, building society or credit union that is unable to repay your savings, up to a limit of €100,000. The Investor Compensation Fund: this provides protection and compensates you if an investment firm goes out of business and is unable to repay your money.