In online trading, account integrity is essential for maintaining trust and transparency. However, major problems arise when a broker assigns ghost trades to account activity without the trader’s permission. Ghost trades refer to transactions that appear on a trading account without the trader placing them. If a broker assigns ghost trades to account activity, it is a serious breach of trust and a potential sign of fraudulent behaviour.

Broker assigns ghost trades to account incidents are alarming and can cause financial losses, confusion, and irreversible damage to trader confidence.

What Are Ghost Trades?

Ghost trades are trades that:

• Appear in an account without the trader placing them
• May be profitable or result in losses
• Cannot be explained by automation (such as expert advisors or bots)
• Are not shown in trading confirmations or logs initiated by the trader

These unauthorised trades undermine the trader’s ability to manage risk and maintain control over their account.

Why Ghost Trades Are a Serious Issue

When brokers assign ghost trades to an account, traders face multiple serious risks:

• Unexpected Financial Losses: Ghost trades can lead to losses the trader did not choose to risk.
• Margin Problems: Unauthorised positions could trigger margin calls or forced stop-outs.
• Tax and Compliance Issues: Ghost trades complicate account records and reporting obligations.
• Legal and Regulatory Violations: Brokers are legally required to act on client instructions, not place trades unilaterally.

Ghost trading practices can also signal potential manipulation, where the broker benefits at the trader’s expense.

Common Excuses Brokers Might Use

Brokers caught assigning ghost trades may offer explanations such as:

• “System Glitch”: Claiming the platform mistakenly executed trades.
• “Trading Software Error”: Blaming third-party platforms or plugins.
• “Client Consent Misinterpretation”: Suggesting the trader agreed to automated trading terms without realising it.

Regardless of the excuse, unauthorised trading activity is a violation of fundamental client rights.

How to Protect Yourself Against Ghost Trades

To minimise the risk of ghost trades affecting your account:

• Use Reputable, Regulated Brokers: Regulated brokers must maintain strict standards for order execution.
• Monitor Your Account Regularly: Check open and closed trades daily.
• Disable Unused Plugins: If using third-party tools, ensure only trusted and necessary software is active.
• Secure Your Login Credentials: Prevent unauthorised access by using strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
• Request Trade Confirmations: Ensure your broker provides trade confirmations by email or app notification immediately after every trade.

Early detection is key to limiting the damage caused by ghost trades.

What to Do If Ghost Trades Appear in Your Account

If you notice unauthorised trades on your account:

1. Document the Trades: Take screenshots showing the trade history and account balance.
2. Contact the Broker Immediately: Demand a full investigation and written explanation.
3. Request Trade Logs: Ask for server logs to verify who placed the trades and from which IP address.
4. File a Formal Complaint: Use the broker’s internal complaint process to escalate the issue.
5. Report to Regulators: Notify the appropriate financial authority if the broker refuses to correct the problem.
6. Seek Legal Advice: If losses are substantial, consulting a financial lawyer may be necessary.

Protecting your account is critical to maintaining control over your trading capital.

Conclusion

Broker assigns ghost trades to account practices are extremely serious and should be treated as major red flags. Traders must be vigilant in monitoring their accounts, working only with reputable brokers, and acting quickly if unauthorised trades appear. Trust, transparency, and full client control are non-negotiable principles in professional trading.

To learn how to safeguard your trading activities and work with brokers that respect client rights, explore our Trading Courses and develop the skills needed for confident and secure trading.