Advisories & Articles

Featured Topic

Agricultural Customer Resources

Many agricultural producers use the futures and options markets to hedge against falling prices and maximize their bottom lines. Whether you’re new to using futures and options as risk management tools or an old hand, here are a number of checklists, articles and resources that can help you learn more about the markets, risk management planning, and avoiding problems or bad actors. Learn more about protections for agricultural customers.

 

Article: Beware Imposters Posing as CFTC Officials
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
Criminals have been posing as CFTC staff to pressure people into paying fictious fees and taxes. These frauds often revictimize people who have already lost money to other schemes. Learn how to spot and report the imposters.
Customer Advisory: Beware Offers to Receive and Forward Money
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
 | [PDF]
Criminals committing fraud are trying to recruit people to receive and transfer money from their digital wallets, trading, or other personal accounts. Moving money for illegal purposes, even unknowingly, is against the law and participants could face serious consequences.
Investor Bulletin: Investor Resilience – World Investor Week 2022
 |
The CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC, FINRA, and the North American Securities Administrators Association offer five tips to increase your resilience as an investor.
Customer Advisory: Eight Things You Should Know Before Trading Forex
Forex
 |
 | [PDF]
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission advises the public to thoroughly research over-the-counter foreign exchange (“forex”) dealers before making initial deposits or handing over sensitive personal information.
Customer Advisory: Be Alert and Share Information to Help Seniors Avoid Fraud
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
 | [PDF]
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the CFTC reminds the public that fraud criminals often target the life savings of older adults. Here are three recent frauds targeting seniors, and steps you can take to protect yourself or others.
Customer Advisory: Avoid Forex, Precious Metals, and Digital Asset Romance Scams
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
 | [PDF]
Fraudsters are using dating apps, social media, and messaging app “wrong numbers” to lure victims into trading scams. Read how they do it and get 10 tips to protect yourself and your money.
Article: What is a Bitcoin Futures ETF?
Bitcoin and Digital Currencies
 |
A bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund (ETF) issues publicly traded securities that offer exposure to the price movements of bitcoin futures contracts.
Investor Bulletin: Key Topics for World Investor Week 2021
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
The CFTC, SEC, National Futures Association, FINRA, and the North American Securities Administrators Association encourage professionals, teachers, and others to promote these five investor education topics during global recognition week.
Article: Don’t be Re-Victimized by Recovery Frauds
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
If you have fallen victim to a fraud, offers to recover your lost funds can turn out to be just another scam. Here are the warning signs you should look for and tips to help you avoid recovery frauds.
CFTC/SEC Investor Alert: Funds Trading in Bitcoin Futures
Bitcoin and Digital Currencies
 |
The CFTC and SEC urge investors considering a fund with exposure to the Bitcoin futures market to weigh carefully the potential risks and benefits of the investment.
Customer Advisory: Understand Risks and Markets before Reacting to Internet Hype
Futures Market Basics
 |
 | [PDF]
Speculative trading is always risky, but mixing it with unfamiliar markets, leverage, and advice from anonymous individuals online could be a recipe for disaster. Here are seven things to consider before placing any trade that involves commodity futures or physical commodities like precious metals.
Customer Advisory: Beware of Gold and Silver Schemes Designed to Drain Your Retirement Savings
Precious Metals
 |
 | [PDF]
Some unregistered gold and silver dealers are advising investors to use relaxed retirement plan distribution rules in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to buy precious metals. But customers should talk to qualified retirement, tax, or legal advisors first.
Article: 6 Steps to Take after Discovering Fraud
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
Have you fallen victim to a fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic? These steps can help protect you from further theft, inform you about how to lodge a fraud complaint, and offer guidance to avoid fraud in the future.
Customer Advisory: Learn About Risks Before Investing in Commodity ETPs or Funds
Futures Market Basics
 |
 | [PDF]
Trading vehicles that use futures contracts or other commodity interests may be organized as exchange-traded products or mutual funds, but that does not necessarily mean they will behave like traditional exchange-traded funds or mutual funds that invest in stocks, bonds or other asset classes.
Article: Isolated? Don’t Make Snap Investment Decisions
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
Social isolation and financial strain can make people more vulnerable to fraud. If someone approaches you with an investment or trading opportunity, consider running it by someone you know and trust first.
Customer Advisory: Beware of Fee Scams Targeting Workers Sidelined by COVID-19
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
 | [PDF]
Unregistered brokers selling binary options, foreign exchange (forex) programs, and cryptocurrencies are targeting people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. The scams promise unrealistically high profits, but later force victims to pay excessive “fees” and “taxes” to get their supposed earnings.
Customer Advisory: Be on Alert for Frauds Seeking to Profit from Market Volatility Related to COVID-19
Spot and Avoid Fraud
 |
 | [PDF]
Fraudsters commonly use major news events, such as the spread of COVID-19, to add credibility to their cons or manipulate emotions. You can better protect yourself by learning to recognize common mental biases that everyone has, as well as common fraud tactics—and by taking a few preventative steps.
Article: If You Are About to Trade
Spot and Avoid Fraud
Before you make a trade, be sure you understand these basic principles that will help you spot and avoid fraud.
Article: Basics of Futures Trading
Futures Market Basics
Learn the fundamentals of the futures market, who uses futures how market professionals are regulated, and what to consider before getting started.
Article: Economic Purpose of Futures Markets and How They Work
Futures Market Basics
Futures markets allow commodity producers and users to hedge price risk. This allows them to conduct business with greater certainty and helps stabilize prices for consumers.
Article: Understand Your Contractual Obligations
Futures Market Basics
Learn the nuts and bolts of trading commodity futures and options contracts, and the intermediaries involved in the trading process.
Article: How to Read Futures Price Tables
Futures Market Basics
Prices are available from a variety of sources, here’s a general rundown of how prices and volume are reported with explanations of key terms.
Article: Futures Glossary
Futures Market Basics
Look up specialized terms and phrases of the commodity futures, options and swaps markets.
Article: False Promises of Profits as a Result of Natural Disasters
Spot and Avoid Fraud
They may damage crops or disrupt production, but well-known events do not necessarily increase the likelihood of making profits in commodity futures or options trades.
Article: Signs of Fraud
Spot and Avoid Fraud
The schemes may change, but the common tactics fraudsters use stay the same. Learn how to spot them.