Binary options scams.
Find out how binary options work, how to avoid scams and what to do if you are scammed.
Update: The sale of all binary options to retail consumers is now banned. If you are offered binary options, it is probably a scam.
Binary options are a form of fixed-odds betting. Typically, a trade involves whether an event will happen or not (for example, will the price of a particular share or asset go up) and the outcome is either yes or no.
If the investor is correct, they ‘win’ and should see a return on their investment; if they’re wrong, they lose their full investment.
From 2 April 2019, we permanently banned firms from selling binary options in the UK.
This follows the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA) temporary ban on the sale of binary options to retail consumers across the EU, including the UK, since 2 July 2018. Our ban includes certain binary options that were excluded from ESMA’s temporary ban.
How binary options scams work.
Binary options fraudsters often advertise on social media – the ads link to websites that are well-designed and professional looking.
The firms operating the scams tend to be based outside the UK but often claim to have a UK presence, often a prestigious City of London address.
Scam firms may manipulate software to distort prices and payouts – they then suddenly close consumers’ trading accounts, refusing to pay back their money.
We are aware that scammers are targeting consumers searching for investments online, in particular through search engines like Google and Bing. Although some scammers offer high returns to tempt you into investing, they may also offer realistic returns to make their offer appear more legitimate. Those offering or promoting products or investment opportunities found through search engines are not necessarily authorised or regulated by the FCA. You can check the FCA Warning List for firms to avoid.
How to protect yourself.
Be wary of adverts online and on social media promising high returns from binary options trading.
You should only deal with financial services firms that are authorised by us. As the sale of binary options to retail consumers is now banned, any firm offering binary options services is probably unauthorised or a scam.
If you have any doubts, check the FS Register to ensure a firm is authorised. You can also check our Warning List of firms to avoid.
You should check the firm isn’t a clone firm by asking for their firm reference number (FRN) and contact details and then calling them back on the switchboard number on our FS Register – never use a link in an email or website from the firm offering you an investment.
Always be wary if you’re contacted out of the blue, pressured to invest quickly or promised returns that sound too good to be true.
If you have been scammed.
You can report the firm or scam to us by contacting our Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 or using our reporting form.
If you have already invested in a scam, fraudsters are likely to target you again or sell your details to other criminals.
The follow-up scam may be completely separate or related to the previous fraud, such as an offer to get your money back or to buy back the investment after you pay a fee.
If you have any concerns at all about a potential scam, contact us immediately.
