Safety & scams — frequently asked questions

Question 1

What are the clearest signs of a forex scam?

Accepted Answer

Guaranteed returns or fixed monthly profit percentages; an 'account manager' who trades on your behalf via remote access; pressure to deposit more to 'unlock' a withdrawal; a licence number that does not resolve on the regulator's register; payment instructions to a personal account or crypto wallet; and a company address that appears on dozens of unrelated websites. Any single one is reason enough to stop funding.

Question 2

I have been scammed. What should I do first, and in what order?

Accepted Answer

First, stop sending money — including any 'tax' or 'release fee'. Second, preserve evidence: transaction records, full chat and email threads, the website as it appeared (screenshots with dates) and the names used. Third, notify your bank or card issuer immediately, since chargebacks have deadlines. Fourth, file with the regulator named on the site and with your local financial-crimes unit. Never pay a recovery agency that contacts you afterwards — that is a second scam on the same victim list.

Question 3

Is negative-balance protection guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

Only under regulators that mandate it, principally the FCA, CySEC and ASIC for retail clients. Offshore entities may promise it in marketing while their client agreement reserves the right to pursue a debit balance. Check the agreement text, not the landing page, and treat gap risk around weekend openings as real if the protection is not contractual.

Question 4

How do I file a complaint that a regulator will actually act on?

Accepted Answer

Complain to the broker in writing first and give it the deadline stated in its complaints policy, usually 8 weeks. Keep the reference number. Then submit to the regulator with a dated timeline, the account number, the exact clause you believe was breached and supporting documents in PDF. Complaints framed around a specific rule breach get investigated; complaints framed around trading losses generally do not.

Question 5

Is FP Markets a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

FP Markets is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 6

Is Exness a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Exness is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 7

Is FXTM a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

FXTM is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 8

Is Tickmill a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Tickmill is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 9

Is HFM a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

HFM is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 10

Is Pepperstone a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Pepperstone is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 11

Is Vantage a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Vantage is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 12

Is IC Markets a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

IC Markets is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 13

Is Admirals a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Admirals is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 14

Is XM a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

XM is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 15

Is Capital.com a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Capital.com is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 16

Is Equiti a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Equiti is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 17

Is XTB a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

XTB is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 18

Is AvaTrade a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

AvaTrade is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 19

Is ADSS a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

ADSS is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 20

Is Plus500 a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Plus500 is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 21

Is Evest a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Evest is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 22

Is Octa a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

Octa is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 23

Is eToro a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

eToro is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 24

Is HEDG a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

HEDG is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 25

Is AFAQ Trade a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

AFAQ Trade is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.

Question 26

Is FxPro a scam, and how can I check for myself?

Accepted Answer

FxPro is covered by a dedicated credibility report on Dalil Finance that checks its licence status, withdrawal record and complaint history. To verify independently: confirm the licence on the regulator's register, read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, test a small withdrawal early, and treat guaranteed-return offers or managed-account requests as immediate red flags.