$5.7B
Reported investment scam losses in 2024
FTC says investment-related scams caused the biggest reported losses in 2024, at $5.7 billion.
Robinhood options trading alert phishing scam
A phishing message claims unusual options activity has been detected on your Robinhood account and asks you to verify via a link, leading to a credential-harvesting page.
“investment scam”
↑ 210%Key indicators
Usually targetsOptions traders
Often hitsInvestors and traders
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$14K
median reported loss
Typical range$900 – $180K
Recovery rate~5%
Annual reports107,439
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send urgent emails about unauthorized options trades on the victim's Robinhood account.
2
The email includes a link to a fake verification page that captures login credentials and 2FA codes.
3
With account access, scammers execute trades or transfer funds out of the account.
What to do first
Verify account activity only through the official Robinhood app.
Related terms
Robinhood options fraud alertfake Robinhood trading alertRobinhood activity phishingInvestment scamsRobinhoodRisingOptions tradersActive investorsRobinhood usersInvestors and tradersUnited StatesRobinhood options fraud alertfake Robinhood trading alert
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Olga, 35, a options traders, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate investment scams situation while using Robinhood. Scammers send urgent emails about unauthorized options trades on the victim's Robinhood account.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The email includes a link to a fake verification page that captures login credentials and 2FA codes.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: With account access, scammers execute trades or transfer funds out of the account.
The outcome
Olga realized something was wrong when alert about options trades you did not make, received via email rather than in-app. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify account activity only through the official Robinhood app. Olga's experience shows why alert about options trades you did not make, received via email rather than in-app and link asks you to log in to verify your identity are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Alert about options trades you did not make, received via email rather than in-app
- Link asks you to log in to verify your identity
- Email requests your PIN or two-factor authentication code
- Any investment platform that shows steady gains but blocks or delays small withdrawals should be treated as hostile until proven otherwise.
- A real investment firm will not require one more payment to release your profits.
- Search the platform, advisor, app, and wallet addresses independently before sending anything.
What to do now
- ✓Verify account activity only through the official Robinhood app.
- ✓Never enter your 2FA code on any page reached through an email link.
- ✓Contact Robinhood support through the app if you suspect unauthorized activity.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the app or dashboard URL, wallet addresses, transaction hashes, screenshots of balances, and withdrawal errors.
- ✓Keep all chat logs, investment instructions, and the exact promises made about returns or release fees.
- ✓Document how you found the opportunity, especially if it began through social media or a dating-style contact.
- ✓Keep wallet addresses, transaction hashes, and exchange or payment-app identifiers before you move remaining funds.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
118,960
Investment-related reports in 2024
FTC's Consumer Sentinel Data Book lists 118,960 investment-related reports in 2024.
$2.7B+
Losses to social-media scams since 2021
FTC says scams that start on social media have generated more than $2.7 billion in reported losses since 2021, which is relevant because many investment scams now start that way.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- FINRA has issued investor alerts about phishing scams targeting brokerage account holders with fake trade confirmation and unusual activity notices.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Verify account activity only through the official Robinhood app.
- ✓Never enter your 2FA code on any page reached through an email link.
- ✓Contact Robinhood support through the app if you suspect unauthorized activity.
Why this pattern keeps working
Investment scams often look more polished than older fraud types because the dashboard itself is part of the deception.
The scammer's goal is usually to trap the victim into repeated deposits by showing fake gains, then invent taxes or unlocking fees when the victim tries to withdraw.
FINRA has issued investor alerts about phishing scams targeting brokerage account holders with fake trade confirmation and unusual activity notices.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Options traders, Active investors, Robinhood users
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Robinhood — Investment scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Options traders are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- FINRA has issued investor alerts about phishing scams targeting brokerage account holders with fake trade confirmation and unusual activity notices.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about robinhood options trading alert phishing scam
How does the robinhood options trading alert phishing scam work?+
Scammers send urgent emails about unauthorized options trades on the victim's Robinhood account. The email includes a link to a fake verification page that captures login credentials and 2FA codes. With account access, scammers execute trades or transfer funds out of the account.
What are the warning signs of robinhood options trading alert phishing scam?+
Alert about options trades you did not make, received via email rather than in-app Link asks you to log in to verify your identity Email requests your PIN or two-factor authentication code
What should I do if I encounter robinhood options trading alert phishing scam?+
Verify account activity only through the official Robinhood app. Never enter your 2FA code on any page reached through an email link. Contact Robinhood support through the app if you suspect unauthorized activity.
Who is most at risk for robinhood options trading alert phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Options traders, Active investors, Robinhood users. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Robinhood.
Is robinhood options trading alert phishing scam on the rise?+
Robinhood options trading alert phishing scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Investment scams
↑ 30%WhatsApp stock tip group scam
A private chat group pushes coordinated stock buys while fake members post profits to create trust and urgency.
What to do first
Never trade based on private group pressure or unverifiable gains.
Targets
Retail investors
Seen in
Global
Investment scams
↑ 30%Copy trading mentor scam
A mentor offers copy trading access and asks the victim to fund an account or connect an API to mirror guaranteed profits.
What to do first
Avoid trading services that rely on chat-only mentorship and guaranteed returns.
Targets
Crypto traders
Seen in
Global
Investment scams
↑ 19%AI trading bot subscription scam
A polished dashboard claims an AI bot can trade autonomously if you buy a subscription and deposit capital first.
What to do first
Demand independently verifiable performance and test withdrawal before trusting a platform.
Targets
Retail investors
Seen in
Global
Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.