Before investing online, verifying a platform’s legitimacy is essential. Scammers mimic real brokers so well that even experienced investors can be deceived. This guide outlines the exact checks you must perform before depositing a single cent.

1. Verify Licensing From Official Regulators

Legitimate platforms are regulated by authorities such as:

• FCA (UK)

• ASIC (Australia)

• CySEC (EU)

• FINRA / SEC (USA)

• FSCA (South Africa)

Use regulator websites to check:

Company name
License number
Domain linked to the license

If the domain does NOT match the license — it’s a scam.

2. Check Company Transparency

Before depositing, look for clear information:

• Registered company name

• Physical office location

• Working customer support

• Legal documentation

• Realistic terms & conditions

Fake brokers hide these because revealing them exposes the scam.

3. Scan Online Reviews & Consumer Reports

Use multiple sources like:

• Trustpilot

• Reddit

• Scam-dectectives.com

• Scams2Avoid

• Industry complaint boards

• Trustjabber.com

• Sitejabber.com

Consistent complaints about withdrawals = MAJOR red flag.

4. Inspect Website Quality & Domain Age

Look for:

• HTTPS encryption

• Consistent design

• No grammatical errors

• No cloned content

• Domain older than 12–24 months

Scam sites usually have fresh domains (0–6 months old).

5. Test Customer Support Before Depositing

Ask pre-investment questions:

Regulation proof
Withdrawal guidelines
Identity verification process

Scams will avoid clear answers or pressure you to deposit immediately.

6. Risk Scoring Method

7. Final Checklist Before You Deposit

• Are they regulated?

• Is the regulator real?

• Does the domain match the license?

• Are reviews mostly negative?

• Are withdrawals restricted?

• Are promises unrealistic?

If 2 or more answers raise concerns — avoid.

8. Internal Links 

• Scam Recovery Guide

• Recovery Steps

• Scam Tactics

• Fake Website Warning Signs

• Crypto Safety

• Asset Protection