Investor protection · 4 min read
How to Verify a Broker or Capital-Market Provider
Simple checks to perform before opening an account, transferring funds or acting on investment advice.
Get the legal name
Ask for the institution’s full legal name, license category and current contact details. Brand names, social-media handles and agent names can differ from the licensed entity.
Do not rely on a screenshot of a license. Check against information published by ECMA or contact the Authority when status is unclear.
Match the license to the service
A license for one capital-market activity does not automatically authorize every service. Confirm that the provider is allowed to perform the exact role being offered, such as brokerage, dealing or investment advice.
Verify how client money and securities are held, what records you receive and which complaint process applies.
Recognize warning signs
Guaranteed returns, urgency, requests for secrecy, personal payment accounts and resistance to written documentation are warning signs. Be especially cautious when an offer claims privileged access to a new listing.
Pause the transaction and verify independently using contact information you obtained from an official source.