Verify regulation on official registers, not the broker's website
The foundation of any legitimacy check is confirming that the legal entity you would contract with is authorised by a recognised financial regulator. Start with the entity name and registration number in the client agreement or the website footer for your region, then search that exact entity on the regulator's own public register. Confirm the authorisation is current, covers the services offered to you, and lists contact details that match what the broker publishes. Clone firms sometimes copy the names and numbers of genuine companies, so matching the registered contact details against the site you are actually using is an important step.
- Identify the exact legal entity assigned to your country during account opening.
- Search that entity on the regulator's official register, not through links on the broker's site.
- Check that registered website and contact details match the site you are using, to rule out clone firms.
- Confirm the permissions listed cover the products being offered to you.

