How to Report Gold IRA or Precious Metals Fraud
Several agencies take reports about precious-metals fraud. The CFTC, the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov, which was unavailable on 2026-10-06), your state securities regulator and your state attorney general are the most common starting points. The SEC and FINRA take reports when securities or a brokerage firm are involved. Gather contracts, invoices, payment records and messages first.
If you think a gold or silver IRA seller misled you, took money and did not deliver, or charged you far more than you were told, several government offices accept reports. This page lists them, says in plain terms what each one says it does, and suggests what to gather first. It is general information, not legal advice. We cannot tell you which agency is right for your situation, and no report can promise to get your money back. For the wider picture, see Gold IRA scams.
Where do I report a Gold IRA scam or precious metals fraud?
There is no single office for every case. The table shows the main options. "Our reading" notes are our own interpretation of what each agency page says.
| Where | What the agency says | Official page |
|---|---|---|
| CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) | Its precious-metals fraud page points readers to "Submit a Tip or Complaint" | cftc.gov/complaint |
| FTC (Federal Trade Commission) | Reports go into a secure database available to local, state and federal law enforcement | ReportFraud.ftc.gov |
| State securities regulator | NASAA lists contact details for each state's regulator | nasaa.org/contact-your-regulator |
| State attorney general | Each state has an attorney general, its chief legal officer | naag.org/find-my-ag |
| SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) | Takes reports of possible securities-law violations such as fraud and Ponzi schemes | sec.gov/submit-tip-or-complaint |
| FINRA | Investigates complaints against brokerage firms and their employees | finra.org/investors/file-complaint |
Our reading: reporting to more than one office is not ruled out by anything we read, but we did not find an agency page that says how offices share cases with each other, so ask each one.
What does the CFTC take?
The CFTC is the federal regulator of futures and similar markets. Its Precious Metal Frauds page tells readers to submit a tip or complaint through cftc.gov/complaint, and also refers readers to state attorneys general. Its fraud article lists details it would like in a report, including how you were first contacted, the business name and contact details, the total amount sent or lost, and the website address. For metals it also mentions depository information.
The CFTC says regulators can bring civil charges and seek penalties that may help repay victims. It does not promise that any individual will be repaid.
What does the FTC do with a report?
The FTC runs ReportFraud.ftc.gov, a general consumer fraud reporting site. The FTC says that "your information goes into a secure online database that's available to local, state, and federal law enforcement." It also says it "isn't able to give updates on reports that have been filed or respond to each report individually" (FTC). So expect a report to inform investigators, not to open a personal case. Availability note: when we checked on 2026-10-06, ReportFraud.ftc.gov displayed this notice: "Due to the government shutdown, we are unable to offer this website service. We will resume normal operations when the government is funded." If it is still down, use the other channels on this page.
Should I contact my state securities regulator or attorney general?
State offices are often closer to you and may know local sellers. NASAA, the association of state and provincial securities regulators, has a page where you pick your state to find your regulator's contact information. The National Association of Attorneys General has a directory of attorneys general for all 50 states, D.C. and several territories.
We did not open any individual state's complaint process for this page, so check the state office's own website for how it takes complaints and what it covers.
When do the SEC and FINRA apply?
Our reading: these two matter most when the person who sold you something was a securities professional or a brokerage firm, or when the product was an investment security. A plain purchase of coins or bars from a dealer may not involve either.
- SEC. Its tip and complaint page sorts reports into groups, including "possible securities law violations like fraud, Ponzi schemes, insider trading, market manipulation, or other wrongdoing" and "a problem I'm having with my investment account or financial professional."
- FINRA. It says its complaint program "investigates complaints against brokerage firms and their employees." It can take disciplinary action such as fines, suspensions or bars. Before filing, FINRA advises raising the issue with your broker, then the branch manager or compliance department, and keeping written records and copies of correspondence. See FINRA's complaint page.
Check whether a seller is registered with the right agency before you decide where to report. Our dealer verification guide covers that. If a "loan" or financing was part of the pitch, see financed and leveraged metals schemes.
What documents should I gather before reporting?
Agency guidance on what to include overlaps. Combining the SEC's guidance and the CFTC's:
| Gather | Why agencies ask |
|---|---|
| Names, addresses, emails, phone numbers and websites of the people and companies involved | The SEC asks for all entities and people involved, with contact information and website addresses |
| How you were first contacted (ad, call, text, social media) | Listed by the CFTC |
| What you were told about the offer (for example, guaranteed returns) | The CFTC asks what you were told about the offer |
| Total amount sent or lost, and where it went (bank details, depository) | Both agencies ask for amounts; the SEC asks that the amount invested be listed separately from any claimed profit or loss |
| Original documents: contracts, invoices, account statements, emails | The SEC notes that screenshots are less helpful than original documents |
| A short timeline: who, what, where, when | The SEC asks for who, what, where, when and why |
| Anything you know about other victims | The SEC asks, for scams, how many others you know of |
Keep copies of everything you send. The SEC says anonymous submissions are allowed, so you can choose whether to give your own contact details, but agencies may not be able to follow up if you do not.
What should I do if I think I was overcharged?
Overcharging is not always fraud. Prices, premiums and fees can differ between sellers, and the written paperwork usually sets them out. Our reading, based on the CFTC's advice to compare costs and insist on all fees in writing, is that the first step is to compare your invoice and fee schedules with what you were told. Our guides to hidden fees and overpriced coins explain how to read them. FINRA advises contacting the firm in writing first for brokerage problems and keeping copies of letters. If the numbers still do not match what you were promised, the offices above are where to ask. A lawyer or other qualified professional can tell you about your options, including time limits that may apply.
Are there scams aimed at people who already lost money?
Yes, according to the CFTC. Its fraud article links to a piece titled "Don't be Re-Victimized by Recovery Frauds" and says: "The government will never ask you to pay money to work on your case or help recover your losses." Read the CFTC recovery frauds article before paying anyone who offers to get your money back.
Related guides
- Gold IRA scams: the hub for warning signs and protection steps
- How to verify a precious metals dealer or Gold IRA company
- Financed and leveraged metals schemes
Sources
- Precious Metal Frauds, Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Accessed Invalid Date.
- Don't Let Fraud Make You Feel Foolish, Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Accessed Invalid Date.
- Why report fraud, Federal Trade Commission. Accessed Invalid Date.
- Preparing a Quality Tip, Complaint or Referral, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accessed Invalid Date.
- Submit a Tip or Complaint, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accessed Invalid Date.
- File a Complaint, FINRA. Accessed Invalid Date.
- Contact Your Regulator, North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). Accessed Invalid Date.
- Find My AG, National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). Accessed Invalid Date.
This guide is general education, not personalized financial, tax or legal advice. See our financial disclaimer, editorial policy and advertising disclosure.