The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has a Reparations Program that is meant to be a quick means to resolving customer disputes with commodities professionals. You can think of it as a type of arbitration, where your case is examined and the industry regulators decide if you are due any monetary awards from your commodity broker or other licensed futures professional.

You need to do a little homework before you file a complaint.


The action you are disputing must have taken place no longer than two years ago. You also have to check and make sure that the person(s) and/or firm in dispute are licensed with the CFTC. They most likely are, but you can do a check at: http://www.nfa.futures.org/BasicNet/ .

The alleged violation or illegal activity must be a violation of the Commodity Exchange Act. Most of these activities will include fraud, breach of fiduciary responsibility, illegal trading / churning or failure to disclose the risks involved in futures trading. Many of these are common sense, but all the information for filing can be found on the CFTC's website at: CFTC Reparations Program.