A claim becomes researchable when its product, time period, scope and supporting evidence are visible.
Write down the exact claim
Save the wording, the publisher, the channel and the date. Separate an objective assertion from a slogan. For an award, ask who issued it, what period it covers and which category it covers. For a fee headline, ask which account and transaction assumptions it describes. Research the proposition itself rather than its presentation.
Give risk language equal attention
The FCA’s social-media guidance says financial promotions should be fair, clear and not misleading, and should support consumer understanding. Read the limitations in the same session as the headline. A brief risk disclaimer does not answer a different question about the evidence for a specific performance claim.
Question urgency and certainty
Investor-protection guidance from Scamwatch identifies pressure tactics and promises of large returns with little risk as scam warning signs. Pause when a message demands a rapid decision. Do not treat a familiar influencer, a testimonial or a sophisticated video as independent evidence of the product’s merits.
Check commercial context
Look for a disclosure of sponsorship, referral payments or other commercial relationships. In a research note, record who benefits from the claim and whether the evidence can be inspected without registering or paying. If support is unavailable, mark the claim unsubstantiated in your notes; that is different from proving it false.
Promotional claims require supporting evidence. Awards, performance figures and endorsements should be checked at their original source.
Research checklist
- Capture the exact wording, channel and date.
- Identify the product, time period and scope of the claim.
- Read limitations beside the headline.
- Recognize pressure and guaranteed-return language.
- Record commercial relationships and missing evidence.
A research aid. Completing this list does not certify a provider or remove financial risk.
Sources & further reading
Refer to the official sources below and confirm their current contents before relying on a rule or record. The explanations and research workflows in this guide are original to FactFX.
Transparent by design. This guide provides general research education and does not determine legal rights or personal investment suitability.