Gold IRA Scams & Red Flags

A due-diligence checklist for high-pressure sales, unclear pricing, unsupported claims and questionable custody arrangements.

A due-diligence checklist for high-pressure sales, unclear pricing, unsupported claims and questionable custody arrangements. This guide is designed to help you identify the rules, costs, and decision points that matter before you contact a dealer or move retirement assets.

Red flag: guaranteed outcomes

Claims that gold cannot fall, will definitely beat inflation, or guarantees retirement security should be treated skeptically. No dealer can guarantee the future market price of precious metals.

Red flag: urgency tied to fear

Political or economic concerns can be legitimate reasons to review a portfolio, but high-pressure deadlines are not a substitute for written pricing and independent comparison.

Red flag: unclear spreads

Ask the seller to quote the exact purchase price and the exact price it would pay to buy the same product back. If the company will not explain the difference, do not rush.

Red flag: casual home-storage claims

The IRS says qualifying IRA bullion must generally be held by a bank or approved nonbank trustee. Be cautious of pitches that imply you can simply take personal possession while keeping all IRA tax treatment intact. IRS guidance.