Why should you check withdrawals first?
Look at the exit before the entrance.
Paying money in is easy; some things only become clear when you try to take it out. The conditions of the exit, and the classic signal of fraud. Before you deposit, start from the exit.
In 30 seconds
- Look beyond how to deposit: check first where a withdrawal goes, in whose name, the limits and the documents required.
- The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission warns that being asked for “fees” or “taxes” when you try to withdraw is a classic sign of fraud.
- In 2025, about $8.6 billion of investment fraud losses were reported to the US FBI. In Australia, reported losses exceeded A$837 million.
A wide entrance can have a narrow exit.
Check the way out before you put money in.
Read deeper
The conditions of the exit
Even when there are many ways to deposit, a withdrawal has its own conditions: where it goes back to, the name on the receiving account, how much can be taken out at once, and the documents required.
It is better to know these conditions before you put money in than after.
Made to pay in order to get out.
Being asked for payment after payment when you try to withdraw is a classic fraud.
Read deeper
The classic script
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) warns that fraudsters eventually lock victims out of their account and force them to pay fake fees or “taxes” to get any of their money back.[1]
If you are asked to pay more money in order to get your own money back, stop and check.
$8.6 billion, from reports alone.
Investment fraud is the largest category of losses in many countries.
Investment fraud losses reported to the US FBI in 2025
The total of reports, not all losses.
Read deeper
The United States
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, reported losses in 2025 exceeded $20.8 billion in total, of which investment fraud was the largest at about $8.6 billion.[2]
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also received reports of $7.9 billion lost to investment scams in 2025.[3]
Australia
In Australia, reported losses to investment scams exceeded A$837 million in 2025.[4]
Collection methods and currencies differ between countries, so read these not as a ranking but as a pattern: large everywhere.
One road, all the way to the exit.
Check the route from deposit to withdrawal as a single road.
Read deeper
Four points
Where it goes back to. Whether the name matches. What the limits are. Which documents are needed. Check all four in the firm’s official documents before you deposit.
Checking the firm itself
How to check the firm itself is covered in “Behind the sign stands your real counterparty.”
A scale to read before you deposit.
A scale for reading the exit.
Read deeper
Where it returns
Where, and in whose name, a withdrawal is returned.
Withdrawal conditions
Limits, documents required, days taken and costs.
Extra payments
Whether you are asked to pay fees or taxes up front in order to withdraw.[1]
This is not advice
This edition explains how to check withdrawals. It does not recommend or compare any company.
Next question
NEXT QUESTIONBehind the sign stands your real counterparty.NEXT QUESTIONThere is a price beyond the price tag.See the Field Notes shelf →What this edition cannot tell you
- Withdrawal conditions and timings by firm. Check the firm’s official documents.
- Investment fraud statistics for other countries.