How to verify your financial advisor’s Sebi registration

India’s markets regulator requires all investment advisors to register before giving financial advice or handling client portfolios. Yet, many operate without authorisation—charging hefty fees or pushing unsuitable products. Checking registration takes only a few minutes and can protect your savings from bad actors. Why Sebi registration matters Sebi-registered advisors are bound by strict rules. They must disclose conflicts of interest, keep client funds separate, and give advice suited to your profile—not tied to commissions. Unregistered ones aren’t bound by any code and can disappear overnight if things go wrong. Think of registration as a basic safety check before you hand anyone your money. How to verify an advisor online Go to Sebi’s official website and click on “Intermediaries/Market Infrastructure Institutions.” Under “Investment Advisers,” search by the advisor’s name or registration number. A valid entry will show the adviser’s name, company, registration ID (starting with INA), and status as “active.” If the name doesn’t appear, it’s not approved. You can also check for registered research analysts (prefix INH) or portfolio managers (INP). What to watch out for Be cautious if the “advisor” avoids giving their Sebi registration number or sends only a visiting card or social media profile. Watch for titles like “wealth coach” or “investment mentor”—these usually signal unregulated operators. Never share personal or banking details until you’ve confirmed registration through the Sebi site. If you discover they’re unregistered Stop all dealings immediately. If you’ve already paid a fee, document the transaction and file a complaint through Sebi’s SCORES portal. You can also write to Sebi’s regional office with proof like chats, invoices, and receipts. It’s better to raise a complaint early than to chase losses later. Bottom line A legitimate financial advisor will always be transparent about their Sebi registration and fees. Checking their credentials takes two minutes and can save you years of trouble. Before investing a rupee, verify the person behind the advice—you’ll never regret that extra step.