Consumer Protection

The mission of the CFTC is to protect investors and the public from fraud in the commodity futures and options markets. This section:

• educates consumers about U.S. futures markets
• notifies the public about the types of fraud in the marketplace
• offers guidance on how to file complaints or send in tips regarding suspicious activities
• provides updates on disciplinary actions 

Highlights

Learn Before You Invest
Futures markets are inherently volatile, complex, and risky. Our Education Center will help you understand the purpose, process, and the pitfalls of trading in the futures markets.

Get the Latest Fraud Advisories, including Foreign Currency Trading (FOREX) Fraud
Our Fraud Awareness and Prevention section teaches you what to look out for.

File a Complaint or Send a Tip
The CFTC welcomes information from the public about possible violations of the commodity futures laws. This section explains how to:

• File a complaint with our Reparations Program
• Send a tip to our Enforcement Division regarding suspicious activities or transactions

Follow the Status of Enforcement Actions and Disciplinary Sanctions

• Case Status Reports
  Provide the status of open enforcement actions
• Reparations Sanctions
  Search our historical database of individuals and firms who are prohibited from trading. 
• Administrative Sanctions
  Search our historical database of individuals and firms who have been suspended or disqualified from trading, or otherwise sanctioned.

Investor Resources

Ponzimonium: How Scam Artists are Ripping Off America
A new book and consumer education resource by Commossioner Bart Chilton about the perils of Ponzi schemes.

National Futures Association (NFA) Investor Information
Learn about how the markets work and the firms and individuals you are doing business with before participating in the futures or foreign currency markets.

Investor.Gov
Investor.gov is the Securities and Exchange Commission’s online resource designed to help you invest wisely and avoid fraud.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Information
Learn about investing and how to build your financial knowledge. FINRA's website offers articles, interactive tools, alerts and other resources that help you protect yourself.

Other Resources

Find Out if Your Broker is Registered
Use the National Futures Association's BASIC database to find out if your broker is registered or if there is a futures-related regulatory or non-regulatory action against them.

CFTC Enforcement Press Releases
Get the latest news from the CFTC on o ur enforcement actions

CFTC Enforcement Actions
The CFTC takes enforcement actions against individuals and firms registered with the Commission, those who are engaged in commodity futures and option trading on designated domestic exchanges, and those who improperly market futures and options contracts.