Consumers must be aware of the high risks of online trading, says FAIS ombud

Loading player...
GUEST – Advocate John Simpson – Ombud for Financial Services Providers



Consumers who are considering embarking on forex trading and other forms of online day trading must ask
themselves whether they have the expertise required and are prepared to accept the risk of losing all their money, the FAIS Ombud says. Online trading is generally regarded as a high-risk investment and should be undertaken only after giving serious consideration
the risks involved, the Ombud said in a statement this week. In a recent case dealt with by the Office, the complainant received a call from the representative of an online trading platform inviting him to subscribe to the platform.



The complainant believed he could make substantial profits from forex trading. He invested about R725 000
over several months. At the end of the period, he had lost most of his capital, having received only one withdrawal of R3 959.35. When the complainant requested a second withdrawal, it was automatically rejected by the platform because his balance was insufficient
to process the amount due to the open positions of the complainant at that time.
7 Feb 2024 3PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

The Second Bond: The Hidden Costs Homebuyers Miss

Jonathan Kohler exposes the “second bond” — the monthly bill homeowners face before paying their actual home loan. From R4,000–R7,000 in Johannesburg and Cape Town to over R11,500 in Umhlanga, we unpack levies, utilities, maintenance, special levies and municipal tariffs that determine true affordability. A must‑listen for buyers, investors and…
1 Jul 1PM 27 min

SA New Vehicle Sales post strongest June result since 2007

South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout June performance despite inflation, fuel price spikes and weaker consumer confidence. Dr Paulina Mamogobo, Chief Economist at NAAMSA, breaks down the domestic resilience, export pressures, shifting macroeconomic signals, and what these trends mean for the industry heading into the second half of…
1 Jul 12PM 20 min

Protests, Politics & State Capacity: What Today’s Unrest Signals

Anti‑immigration protests highlight deep governance failures, rising public frustration and the erosion of state authority. Professor William Gumede unpacks the political economy behind the unrest, the risks to social cohesion, the impact on investor confidence, and why South Africa urgently needs a coordinated, evidence‑based migration strategy.
30 Jun 5PM 22 min

One Labour Market, Three Data Sets: The Real Story Behind Jobs

GDP shows modest growth, QES shows formal job trends, and the QLFS reveals household‑level pressure. Together, they paint a complex picture of South Africa’s labour market. Statistician‑General Risenga Maluleke explains how these data sets interlink, where they diverge, and what they reveal about job creation.
30 Jun 5PM 20 min

SA TAX SEASON 2026 KICKS OFF: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

South Africa’s tax season opens with new rules, new risks and widespread misconceptions. From two‑pot withdrawals taxed at marginal rates to multiple IRP5s, provisional tax surprises and auto‑assessment pitfalls. Stian De Witt from NMG Benefits explains the hidden traps catching ordinary South Africans
30 Jun 5PM 21 min