Learning Resources

The CFTC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) are jointly issuing this Investor Bulletin to make investors aware of frauds involving investments in physical precious metals, in particular those involving self-directed individual retirement accounts.

That “wrong number” text or “like” you receive from an attractive stranger may be from an international criminal organization using a fake name and photo. These gangs have stolen billions of dollars by posing as long-distance friends or romantic interests. Learn the warning signs.

Ignore social media influencers or trading platforms that claim AI-created algorithms can generate large, guaranteed returns. These are common red flags of fraud. Here are four steps you should take before trusting your money to trading platforms or AI bot sellers.

The SEC, CFTC, FINRA, National Futures Association, Securities Investor Protection Corporation, and the North American Securities Administrators Association have teamed up to provide investors with information about the three themes of World Investor Week 2023, a global campaign promoted by the Inte

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.

The CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC, FINRA, and the North American Securities Administrators Association offer five tips to increase your resilience as an investor.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Many online binary option trading platforms operate in violation of the law. Some of these unregistered platforms have refused to credit customer accounts, denied fund reimbursement, committed identity theft, and manipulated their software to generate losing trades for customers.

The market for digital coins and tokens is still very young and there is no widely-accepted standard for placing a value on a particular coin or token. You need to ask about your rights, research what could affect the future value of a digital coin or token, and exercise caution.

The CFTC and SEC have recently observed investment scams where fraudsters pose as “cryptocurrency” advisory trading businesses touting proprietary trading systems or mining farms.

Virtual currency is a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, or a store of value, but it does not have legal tender status. Learn more about the risks associated with this digital asset.

Be cautious of sales pitches touting “IRS approved” or “IRA approved” virtual currency retirement accounts. Virtual currency prices sometimes experience wild price swings. This volatility is not reduced or limited just because the virtual currencies are held in an IRA.

Pump-and-dump schemes occur in the largely unregulated cash market for virtual currencies and digital tokens, and typically on platforms that offer a wide array of coin pairings for traders to buy and sell. Learn the warning signs and how these schemes operate.

Use extra caution when considering trading advice, products or services touted on social media. It’s easy for fraudsters to create a profile that hides their true identity, or use multiple profiles to promote their schemes. Find out what to look for, and how to avoid getting lured into their frauds.

These frauds commonly involve individuals and firms that are often unregistered and advertise false claims of high profits and low risk.

There has been a sharp rise in forex trading scams in recent years. Learn signs of potential fraud and the tactics fraudsters commonly use.