How to file a complaint against a broker on SEBI SCORES

So your broker messed up. Maybe Zerodha executed a trade you never placed. Maybe your Groww account shows a debit you can’t explain. Maybe you’ve been trying to get your ₹15,000 withdrawal processed for three weeks and the support tickets are going nowhere.

Here’s the thing most people don’t know: you don’t have to just accept it. (If the problem is a redemption that has simply not arrived yet, that is usually settlement timelines rather than misconduct — worth ruling out before you file.) SEBI runs a complaints platform called SCORES — short for SEBI Complaint Redress System — and it actually works. It’s not a black hole. Brokers are legally required to respond, and there are deadlines they have to meet.

Here’s exactly how to use it. Worth knowing before you start: SCORES is for grievances against the broker, not for recovering shares that were never claimed — that route is IEPF.

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First, Try the Broker. Seriously — You Have To.

Before SCORES will accept your complaint, you need to show that you tried to resolve it with the broker first and didn’t get anywhere. This isn’t just a technicality. SEBI wants to see that you gave the broker a chance.

So if you haven’t already, email your broker’s official grievance email — not just a support chat. For Zerodha, that’s [email protected] with a subject line like “Formal Grievance — Unauthorised Transaction.” For Angel One, it’s [email protected]. Every SEBI-registered broker is required to have a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism — it’s on their website.

Give them 15 days to respond. If they don’t resolve it, or give you a runaround, you’re ready for SCORES.

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What SCORES Actually Is — and Why It Has Teeth

SCORES is a centralised platform run by SEBI where retail investors can file complaints against any SEBI-registered entity — brokers, mutual fund houses, portfolio managers, registrars. You file once, online, and the broker is notified automatically.

The reason it works: SEBI mandates that registered entities respond to SCORES complaints within 21 calendar days. If they don’t, it escalates. SEBI can take regulatory action against brokers who habitually ignore complaints — fines, suspension, the works. A broker like Zerodha or HDFC Securities isn’t going to risk their SEBI registration over your ₹15,000.

It’s free to use, available 24/7, and you can track the status of your complaint in real time.

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How to Actually File the Complaint — Step by Step

Go to scores.sebi.gov.in. If it’s your first time, register with your PAN card — this is how SEBI links your complaint to your investor identity. The registration takes about two minutes.

Once you’re logged in, click “Complaint Registration”. You’ll be asked to fill in a few things:

• Entity name: Select your broker from the dropdown — Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, whatever applies.
• Complaint category: Choose the one that fits. “Non-receipt of funds,” “Unauthorised transactions,” “Account-related issues” — they’re fairly self-explanatory.
• Description of the complaint: Be specific. Don’t write “broker is bad.” Write: “On 14 April 2025, ₹8,500 was debited from my trading account (ID: ZD1234567) without any corresponding trade. I emailed [email protected] on 15 April and received no resolution as of 30 April.”
• Supporting documents: Attach your account statement showing the debit, your original grievance email, and the broker’s response (or lack of one). PDF screenshots work.

Submit, and you’ll get a complaint registration number. Save it. You’ll use it to track progress.

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The One Thing Most People Get Wrong

The most common reason SCORES complaints stall or get rejected is vague documentation. If you’re complaining about an unauthorised debit of ₹8,500, your account statement needs to clearly show that debit. If you’re saying the broker didn’t process your withdrawal, you need the withdrawal request confirmation.

Think of it this way: you’re not venting, you’re building a paper trail. The more specific your complaint — dates, amounts, account numbers, exact correspondence — the faster it gets resolved. Complaints with solid documentation typically see responses within 7–10 days, well before the 21-day deadline.

If the broker’s response on SCORES doesn’t satisfy you, you can escalate directly to SEBI through the same platform. After that, there’s also the Investor Grievance Forum and arbitration through the stock exchange (NSE/BSE), but for most issues, SCORES gets the job done before you need to go there.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a SCORES complaint against Zerodha or Groww directly without contacting them first?

No — SEBI requires that you attempt resolution with the broker before escalating to SCORES. Give them at least 15 days to respond to a formal written complaint. If there’s no satisfactory resolution after that, SCORES is your next step.

How long does SEBI take to resolve a SCORES complaint?

The broker has 21 calendar days to respond once the complaint is registered on SCORES. Most complaints involving clear documentation — like an unprocessed withdrawal or an unauthorised transaction — are resolved well within that window.

Is there a fee to file a complaint on SCORES?

No. SCORES is completely free. Go to scores.sebi.gov.in, register with your PAN, and file directly. No lawyer needed, no fees, no middlemen.

What if the broker responds on SCORES but I’m not satisfied with their answer?

You can mark the complaint as “not resolved” on the platform and escalate it to SEBI for review. If it still doesn’t go anywhere, you can file for arbitration through NSE or BSE — but the SCORES escalation route resolves the majority of retail investor complaints.

What kinds of complaints can I file — is it only for trading issues?

SCORES covers all SEBI-registered entities, so you can file against brokers, mutual fund houses, portfolio management services, and registrars. Issues like delayed payouts, KYC problems, unauthorised trades, and incorrect contract notes all qualify.