Business

Online Trading: How to Spot Scams

Published

4 years ago

September 28, 2020

Online brokers and stock trading moves billions of dollars per day, and more and more people are interested in entering this “new” profitable business.

About stock trading though, we have always to remember that there is no “magic formula” for achieving success in the financial world, and risks are everywhere. You can easily lose all of your investment in a blink of an eye if things turn rough on the market and you didn’t brace yourself and made the right adjustments.

That is why the internet is filled with misinformation about this world, mostly spread by incompetents or scammers and their fake online trading courses.

Anyway, there are websites like OnlineTradingCourse.net that are an extremely valuable resource to understand where and when to invest and discover the best assets on the net.

But, most importantly, you can find on this platform an huge amount of info to start learning how to trade online thanks to stock trading platforms… and how to spot scams.

Thanks to this info that we gathered around the net on trustful sites like the aforementioned and other ones of the same type, we decide to categorize the most common way of scamming people on the stock trading market.

“Everyone is on the deal!” Sales Pitch

How many times we heard, not only in our financial field, that “Everyone is doing it, so you should do it!” or “If they do it, I’ll do it!” about this or that business going on? You should never follow, nor believe, these proclaims.

This is probably the oldest way to get caught (maybe with the ones who convinced you in the deal, if he or she is not the one who organized it of course).

These scams are usually called affinity frauds and usually are perpetrated against people coming from the same social group, cultural background or religious beliefs.

Limited only offers

This is another cross-scam that we can find basically on any business that involves selling, not only the stock market environment.

Every time someone tries to rush you in choosing their assets or products as fast as you can, you should realize that something is not right. If it would be all right, the deal will be there for a longer time, not only for a “limited time”.

No Proof of Legitimacy

Scammers can’t prove that they are legit by a registration with a regulatory authority.

For example, CySEC license is a must if you want to trade on the European soil with an online broker. If you think that an online broker is becoming increasingly suspect once you start using its services, you should contact the regulatory authority of your jurisdiction and check their list of regulated companies allowed to operate In that territory.

The regulatory authorities have usually not only a list of regulated companies, but also a list of open cases against regulated companies.

Do not rely on promises made on phone calls or online

Any information, statement, promise or deal between you and your potential new broker must be written. Anything else but written form communication is basically useless in legal terms.

That’s why you should always have a paper contract by your side for your own safety before starting in trading stocks or Forex.

Forex Robot Scams

These robost are nothing but trading programs supported by lines of computer code or algorithms as a technical signal to choose when to open and when to close trades.

With that being said, not all of those forex robots are “scammers”. There are also expert FX robots built using Expert Advisors (EAs), which are one of the most popular features of MetaTrader 3 and MetaTrader4.

To spot Forex robot scam, you can find useful Forex robot scam lists that will help you to find out right on the spot if you are dealing or dealt with these sophisticated algorithms.

Online trading courses also give you the right info about how to recognize right away a Forex robot scam.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

3 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.