The Central Bank today issued a warning against a firm trading under the name, Mortgage Shop London Limited.

The bank said the firm was not authorised by the Central Bank as a mortgage broker or intermediary.

"It is a criminal offence for an unauthorised firm to provide financial services in Ireland that would require an authorisation under the relevant legislation which the Central Bank is the responsible body for enforcing."

Consumers should be aware that, if they deal with a firm which is not authorised, they are not eligible for compensation from any statutory compensation schemes, the bank added.