Why Verification Matters
Anyone offering paid stock or derivatives research in India must be registered with SEBI as a Research Analyst. Unregistered tip providers, social media groups and look-alike websites can use convincing language and screenshots. A few minutes of checking can protect you from paying an entity that has no authority to provide research services.
A Five-Step Checklist
- Ask for the registration number and search it on the official SEBI intermediary register at sebi.gov.in.
- Check that the registered name, email and phone match what the analyst shows on its website and communication.
- Confirm the validity period of the registration, as registrations can expire or be suspended.
- Read the disclosures, risk statements and terms before paying anything.
- Pay only to the bank account or UPI handle published on the firm's official payment page, in the firm's registered name.
Warning Signs to Avoid
Be careful with anyone who promises assured or fixed returns, pushes you to pay urgently, asks you to transfer money to a personal account, or asks for your trading account password or OTP. Research analysts do not need your login credentials, and no legitimate service can guarantee market outcomes.
What to Do if Something Feels Wrong
Stop paying, keep screenshots and payment receipts, and raise a complaint with the firm's grievance officer. If the issue is not resolved, you can escalate through the SEBI SCORES portal. Verification is a one-time habit that is worth building before every subscription.
