Binary Options Scams.
Ever since humans have been trying to make more money, there have been scammers ready to take advantage. One of the problems, of course, is that na_ve consumers and investors, looking to increase their earnings, can lose everything as the result of a scam. Another issue is that a number of perfectly legitimate brokers and businesses end up being tarred with the same brush and labeled scams because of unscrupulous actions of others.
One of the difficulties is related to binary options scams. It’s important to realize that binary options represent a legitimate way to make money (even though some claim that trading them is a scam), but at the same time it’s important to be careful, since there are scammers out there waiting to take advantage of you.
First of All: Binary Options Trading Is Legit.
It’s important to realize that binary options trading isn’t some big scam. Binary options have been traded for a long time, and they are a legitimate way to speculate on market outcomes, and are especially popular amongst Forex traders.
The idea that binary options trading is a scam comes from the fact that the speculative nature of this type of trading means that there is a very real chance of loss. And, it’s an proposition. If you’re right, you end up with profits. But, if you’re wrong, you lose the premium you paid in order to buy the options contract. These losses lead many to think that it is a scam. However, binary options trading is no more a scam than stock trading or Forex trading.
What Binary Options Scams Are Out There?
You need to be aware that there are different scams being perpetrated in order to part you from the money you work hard to earn. Some of the scams are more a result of poor quality software, and poor customer service, than overt scams. For example, a broker might use poor software that doesn’t record orders properly, or has other problems. You might think you are purchasing one contract, but the software says you purchased something else. The result is that you lose money.
Another possibility is that you have difficulty working with customer support when something goes wrong. You might be simply told that nothing can be done as your money trickles away. It’s also important to be on the lookout for brokerages that don’t allow you to withdraw your money, instead forcing you through various hoops, or telling you that you’ve forfeited it in some way.
Be on the watch, too, for sites that are scammers, including fraudulent web sites and "brokers" that disappear after a few weeks.
You Do Need to Watch Out for Scammers.
However, just because binary options trading itself isn’t a scam doesn’t meant that there aren’t scammers out there. While there are a number of reputable brokerages that can help you trade binary options, there are also scammers trolling the web, looking for susceptible traders. Before you decide to begin trading with a brokerage, you need to make sure that you are dealing with someone reputable.
Look for a few red flags before you sign up as a client and start trading binary options:
Guaranteed profits: No one can guarantee your profits. Anyone who insists that you can’t lose money is probably a scammer. There is no "safe" investment, whether you are trading binary options, or investing in the stock market. Stay away from this types of fraud. Loose regulatory environment: Check the country the broker bases its operations in. In some cases, the country has a poor regulatory infrastructure and that makes it easier for fraudsters to set up shop. Be wary of brokerages based in countries without good regulatory practices. Poor reviews: You do need to be careful of relying too much on poor reviews. You can, though, get a good idea of a broker’s legitimacy by spending time on forums, and looking for information about the broker. There are a number legitimate binary options brokers, and you can usually find them with a search of the Internet, or by visiting the forums. Be suspicious of organizations that not many people have heard of, as well as brokers that have nothing but bad reviews.
As long as you do your homework, and you are careful about the brokers you work with, you should be able to avoid binary options scams. Then, all you have to do is worry about whether or not you are making the right calls when it’s time to trade.