Posted on 02/06/2006 3:54:32 PM PST by B4Ranch
COMMISSION ADVISORY
Beware Of Promises Of Easy Profits From Buying Precious Metals And Other Commodities
Consumers should be alert to companies that sell investments in precious metals and other commodities based on sales pitches claiming that customers can make a lot of money, with little risk, by purchasing metal through a financing agreement. Sometimes these companies offer opportunities to speculate on the price movement of precious metals, or other commodities such as heating oil, without actually taking delivery of the commodity.
The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is the federal agency that regulates the trading of commodity futures and options contracts in the United States and takes action against firms suspected of illegally or fraudulently selling commodity futures and options. Over the past several years, the CFTC has taken enforcement action against wrongdoers who lured customers to purchase purported interests in precious metals without taking delivery, through various misrepresentations including claims that they would earn large profits with little risk.
Certain companies advertise on radio, television or internet websites, or make telephone "cold calls," to promote the purchase of precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. In the CFTC's experience, the advertisements, infomercials and telephone solicitations often promise quick riches - such as the ability to double or triple the customer's initial investment in just two or three months - all with low risk. Companies making such statements typically ask that customers pay only a small percentage of the total purchase price, and also claim that they (or another company) will purchase and store the metal. These companies also pretend to arrange financing for the customer's metal purchase so the customer can obtain a larger profit by controlling a larger amount of metal with their relatively small downpayment. Companies often discourage customers from taking delivery of the metal. These companies often charge a commission for the purchase transaction, a loan origination fee, an interest charge on the remaining balance (which accrues over time), and fees relating to storage and shipping of the metal they pretend to purchase for the customer. Sometimes, not all of these fees are disclosed up front.
What's Wrong With Such Sales Pitches?
The CFTC's experience has been that companies making such pitches often:
lie about or overstate their ability to predict prices or the direction of the metals markets;
minimize the degree of investment risk involved in metals investments;
fraudulently fail to disclose how much the price of metal must go up for the customer to break even (let alone profit), since hefty finance and storage fees and commissions are deducted from the customer's account before any profits accrue;
falsely claim to be purchasing and storing the metal, when they do not actually do so. Indeed, companies often discourage customers from taking delivery of the metal;
charge phony "storage" fees for metal, when no metal is actually purchased or stored;
charge phony "interest" fees that diminish a customer's account equity to the point where the customer has to deposit additional funds with the company or have his account closed out at a total loss. The interest fees are phony because no metal has been purchased, as promised, and the financing arrangement therefore is fictitious;
fail to point out that, because you are buying on "margin" or with leverage, you will have to send the company additional funds (or sell a portion of your "metal position") if the price of the precious metals moves unfavorably.
Warning Signs Of Commodity "Come-Ons"
If you are solicited by a company to purchase commodities, watch for the warning signs listed below:
Avoid any company that predicts or guarantees large profits with little or no financial risk.
Be wary of high-pressure tactics to convince you to send or transfer cash immediately to the firm, via overnight delivery companies, the internet, by mail, or otherwise.
Be skeptical about unsolicited phone calls about investments from offshore salespersons or companies with which you are unfamiliar.
Prior to purchasing, contact the CFTC (www.cftc.gov) or other authorities, including your state's securities commissioner (www.nasaa.org), Attorney General's consumer protection bureau(www.naag.org/index2.html), the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.com) and the National Futures Association (www.nfa.futures.org).
Be sure you get all information about the company and verify that data, if possible. If you can, check the company's materials with someone whose financial advice you trust.
Learn all possible information about fees and commissions charged, and the basis for each of these charges.
If in doubt, don't invest. If you can't get solid information about the company, the salesperson, and the investment, you may not want to risk your money
Use Extra Care When Dealing with Foreign Companies
Sometimes companies that solicit customer investments in precious metals (or their purported storage facilities) are located outside the United States, even if they do not reveal that fact to you while soliciting your investment. United States government agencies generally have little or no regulatory authority over entities operating outside the United States. If you transfer funds to foreign firms, or place funds with United States firms that are later transferred to offshore companies, it may be difficult or impossible for you to recover your money. Storing metal offshore, particularly in countries with secrecy laws, might make it difficult for you to verify your investment.
Ask where all companies that would handle your funds are located, where any telephone call you receive originates, where your funds will be deposited and kept, and where the metal will be stored. If possible, telephone the company.
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For More Information and Contacts
Have you checked whether the company and salesperson are registered with the CFTC or are members of the National Futures Association (NFA)? You can do this easily by calling the NFA (800-621-3570 or 800-676-4NFA) or by checking the NFA's registration and membership information on its website at www.nfa.futures.org/basicnet/. While registration may not be required, you might want to confirm the status and disciplinary record of a particular company or salesperson.
Have you checked with the NFA to determine whether the company or salesperson has been disciplined by commodity regulators?
For other consumer advisories concerning possible fraudulent activity in the commodity futures and options industry, click on the following Consumer Alerts: www.cftc.gov/cftc/cftccustomer.htm.
The CFTC's website also offers general information about trading in the commodity futures and options markets. For example, the CFTC offers brochures on-line, such as "Futures and Options What You Should Know Before You Trade" (www.cftc.gov/opa/brochures/futures.htm ) and "Glossary: The Language of the Futures Industry" (www.cftc.gov/opa/glossary/opaglossary_a.htm). To obtain this and other information, go to the CFTC site map (www.cftc.gov/cftcmap.htm).
Questions concerning this advisory may be addressed to the CFTC's Office of Public Affairs at (202) 418-5080, or write to:
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Office of Public Affairs Three Lafayette Centre 1155 21st Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20581
Beware!
Is that beware of you or the gold? :)
Gold does not produce anything. A share of GE does--dividends, earnings.
Beware Of Promises Of Easy Profits From Buying Precious Metals And Other Commodities... Should simply read... BEWARE OF PROMISES OF EASY PROFITS!
A dollar does not produce anything. And a share of a buggywhip manufacturer does, well, it used to, provide dividends. But they're all out of business now, having seen their profits vanish in the face of the automobile. Gold, however, is still here.
Years ago I was solicited pretty heavily by a company, I believe in Florida, that had a get rich scheme using gold. I don't remember the details but they bought gold in the investor's name and stored it. I was suspicious and didn't invest. Over several years I tracked their fortunes and found that I could have made a lot by selling at the proper time. About the time I was kicking myself for not investing the whole thing collapsed. Seems that they had only a very small amount of gold to display to investors and potential investors. No telling where all of the investor's money went.
Sounds like the CRIMEX, er, COMEX.
Been there, done that, circa 1980. Victim of securities fraud for purchasing gold through a brokerage firm. Broker was eventually caught, tried and convicted. What money was recovered went to the large investors first (100K+). I never recovered a dime of my 2K investment.
Aren't these the same companies that have radio ads with Savage and pop-ups and emails with NewsMax.com?
I'm not known for making false promises. Beware of paper gold.
'm not known for making false promises. Beware of paper gold.
Just wondering since you're a bit of a "flake" like me:).
You will find these companies with addresses on Wall Street, in DC next to fine law offices, or with PO Boxes on an email. Research and verify just who you are investing with. Check with the proper agencies to see if there has been previous complaints or if they are currently defendants in upcoming trials. In other words, use your head and the brains inside it before jumping at wild promises.
I remember that, too. It was the 1980's and they were in Ft. Lauderdale. Big ads in the Chicago newspapers almost every day, for months or maybe years. Then BAM!! They were gone and all the knuckleheads that had fallen for the scam were SOL. Everybody knew this firm because of the barrage of newspaper advertising. They might have been on the radio too.
I get these pump & dump scams everyday.
"WE CALLED IT AT .38 CENTS NOW ITS AT $2.40!
WITH ALOT MORE ROOM TO MOVE!
...blah. blah. blah.
If these guys are so rich and so smart, why do they need my money?
I invest in the financial standard of the future--Zinc.
I would diversify if I was you. Never put all your eggs in one basket.
IMHO when the gold bugs get into the commodity market it is starting to over heat a little.
Ah, but you're wrong about the future viability of zinc. I have invested my life's savings into aluminum.
Evidently his spiel had a "Christian" theme and he advertised on a Christian radio station and they fell for it. Sad.
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