Learning Resources
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The CFTC’s Office of Consumer Outreach continually strives to provide effective information and tools to help consumers avoid fraud. Below are some helpful resources on these topics. If you have questions about any of these resources, please contact consumers@cftc.gov. These publications should not be resold.
For additional resources, including tools to check the background of financial professionals and interactive videos to test your fraud-avoidance skills, visit SmartCheck.gov.
BOOKS
A consumer education resource about the perils of Ponzi schemes written by Commissioner Bart Chilton. Ponzimonium is also available as a free eBook download from the Government Printing Office and other eBook retailers. (Limited supply available.)
BROCHURES
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is the federal government agency that regulates the commodity futures, commodity options, and swaps trading markets.
Foreign Currency Trading Fraud - (PDF) The Forex market is volatile and carries substantial risks. It is not the place to put any money that you cannot afford to lose, such as retirement funds, as you can lose most or all of it very quickly. Precious Metals Fraud - (PDF) The CFTC wants to inform you about tricky promises of easy profits from rising prices in precious metals such as gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. Commodity Pool Fraud - (PDF) The CFTC wants you to be aware of a type of fraud that involves individuals and firms offering investments in commodity pools. Reparations Program - (PDF) The CFTC regulates the commodity futures, commodity options, and swaps trading markets. As part of that responsibility, the CFTC has instituted a Reparations Program. Whistleblower Program - (PDF) The CFTC regulates the commodity futures, commodity options, and swaps trading markets. As part of that responsibility, the CFTC has instituted a Whistleblower Program. SmartCheck.gov Overview - (PDF) The CFTC wants you to check the background of your financial professionals. This document provides a brief overview about the website where you can check their backgrounds. SmartCheck.gov Brochure - (PDF) This brochure details the information that can be found on SmartCheck.gov, including how to check the background of your financial professionals. It also lists the top five signs of fraud. Recognizing these signs can help investors spot a potentially fraudulent investment opportunity. REPORTS
Findings from a survey of a segment of pre-retirement investors. This research was designed to test a series of messages and content targeting investors who are prime targets for investment fraud.
VIDEOS
In this dramatization, a commodity pool fraud is described. The video chronicles how the fictional fraud was perpetrated and provides information about how to avoid becoming a financial fraud victim. For more information, please read the Commodity Pool Fraud Advisory. To check the background of a futures or swaps business or individual, please visit SmartCheck.CFTC.gov.
The Forex market is volatile and carries substantial risks. This video provides tips on how to identify and avoid potential Forex fraud. For more information, please read the Forex Fraud Advisory. To check the background of a futures or swaps business or individual, please visit SmartCheck.CFTC.gov.
This video provides tips on how to spot and avoid fraud when trading precious metals such as gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. For more information, please read the Precious Metals Fraud Advisory. To check the background of a futures or swaps business or individual, please visit SmartCheck.CFTC.gov.