When you trade with a broker, paying a commission for executed trades is expected. But what if you’re being charged even when no trades occur? The Commission Charged on Non-Trades Scam is a deceptive tactic used by unethical brokers to extract fees for inactive accounts, cancelled orders, or fabricated trading activity—often without the trader’s knowledge or consent.

This article uncovers how this scam works, the signs that your broker may be exploiting you, and how to protect yourself from paying commission fees on trades that never actually happened.

What Is the Commission Charged on Non-Trades Scam?

The Commission Charged on Non-Trades Scam involves a broker deducting fees under the guise of “trading commissions” despite:

• No open or executed trades being made
• Cancelled orders being counted as trades
• Fees being charged on demo or simulation accounts
• Commission being applied on account balances or login activity

These charges are typically hidden deep in account statements or justified with vague terms like:

• “Platform activity fee”
• “Liquidity access cost”
• “Execution reserve charge”

In many cases, the trader only notices after reviewing detailed account history or when their balance mysteriously shrinks.

How the Scam Works

Step 1: Trader Opens Account and Funds It

After registering and depositing funds, the trader either:

• Begins trading actively
• Takes a break from trading
• Or monitors markets without executing orders

Step 2: Broker Applies Charges Without Real Trades

The broker’s system deducts fees labelled as “commission” for:

• Orders that were placed but cancelled before execution
• Merely logging into the platform
• Holding a balance on the account
• System-detected “market exposure simulations”

The trader assumes these are valid charges—until they notice that no trades were placed, yet commissions continue to accrue.

Step 3: Charges Escalate or Compound Over Time

For inactive traders, these phantom commissions may:

• Slowly erode the account balance
• Trigger margin calls due to reduced equity
• Disqualify them from bonuses or promotions

When challenged, the broker may claim it’s part of “internal liquidity access” or “automated execution infrastructure fees”—terms that sound legitimate but mean nothing in practice.

Step 4: Refunds Are Denied or Ignored

If the trader complains:

• The broker refers them to vague terms and conditions
• Refunds are denied due to “non-refundable platform costs”
• Communication is stalled or redirected endlessly

Red Flags to Watch For

Commissions Appear Without Corresponding Trades

If your statement shows commission charges but no trade IDs or executed orders, you’re being scammed.

Fees Labelled With Vague or Misleading Terms

Watch out for:

• “Trade environment access”
• “Market positioning cost”
• “Commission processing” with no execution proof

Charges Appear on Cancelled or Expired Orders

Brokers should never charge for trades that didn’t execute. If they do, it’s a form of fee fabrication.

No Explanation or Transparency in Statements

Legit brokers provide breakdowns of every fee. If you’re seeing deductions without clear descriptions, dig deeper.

Support Refuses to Provide Trade Logs

If support won’t share timestamps, ticket IDs, or transaction logs for the charged commissions, it’s a cover-up.

How to Protect Yourself

Track Every Trade and Match Against Charges

Keep a personal trade log with:

• Order IDs
• Entry/exit times
• Expected fees

Compare this to the broker’s records regularly.

Choose Brokers With Fixed or Transparent Commission Structures

Avoid platforms that leave commission terms open-ended. Regulated brokers under FCA, ASIC, or CySEC offer standardised, disclosed fees.

Check the Fine Print for Fabricated Fees

Look through the terms of service for:

• Inactivity fees mislabelled as commission
• Platform access fees hidden under technical-sounding names
• Clauses allowing “discretionary adjustments”

Request Full Trading Logs and Execution Confirmations

Legitimate brokers will gladly provide these. Scammers will evade, delay, or deflect.

Withdraw Funds at the First Sign of Unexplained Charges

If your account is being drained for non-trading activity, stop deposits and withdraw immediately.

Conclusion

The Commission Charged on Non-Trades Scam is a silent way for rogue brokers to erode trader balances without ever placing a trade. By disguising these deductions as normal commission fees, they prey on confusion, inexperience, and lack of oversight.

To learn how to audit your broker’s statements, understand real vs. fake charges, and protect your trading capital from hidden fees, enrol in our advanced Trading Courses focused on broker integrity, account analysis, and defence against platform-level exploitation.