CFTC -

CFTC Warns Customers About Precious Metal Schemes -

On August 4, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Office of Customer Education and Outreach (the OCEO) issued a Customer Advisory regarding suspicious precious metal recommendations. Due to the relaxed rules under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), unregistered gold and silver dealers have increasingly been encouraging investors (1) to convert their retirement savings into investments of gold or silver coins or into self-directed gold individual retirement accounts, and (2) to make leveraged purchases of physical metals. These schemes often involve expensive premiums and hidden one-time or monthly fees. Further, physical metals such as collectible coins may be difficult to value objectively, and they do not have a liquid market.