Broker not letting you withdraw? What to do next
Checked by The Proofmark editorial team against our methodology before publishing
The Proofmark · Our methodology
Your account shows a profit. You ask to take money out. Then the broker asks for another payment. Before you send it, find out who is asking and what the charge is for.
A late payment can have a valid cause. A demand to pay more and more to release your balance is a different warning sign.
The next steps depend on whether this is a real firm, a dispute or a fake trading site.
What should I do if my broker will not let me withdraw?
- Pause new payments. Do not borrow money to meet a demand made under pressure.
- Ask for a written reason. Request the rule that blocks the payout, the amount affected and the date the firm expects to resolve it.
- Save your records. Keep the request, replies, payment receipts and exact website address. Keep copies outside the trading account.
- If you suspect fraud, contact your bank or payment provider promptly. Use its official app or a number you know. Explain how you paid and ask what action is possible.
Do not give a caller remote access to your device. Never share a password, login code or crypto wallet recovery phrase.
Can a genuine broker delay a withdrawal?
Yes. Identity checks, unsettled trades or account terms can affect a payout. A delay alone does not prove fraud.
Check the terms you received when you opened the account. Ask what document is missing, why it is needed and how to send it through the firm's secure service. Verify the firm before sending more personal information.
Write down each promised date. If it passes, ask for a formal complaint reference. Repeated excuses, new payment demands and unclear company details call for closer checks.
Should I pay a tax or fee to unlock my account?
Do not assume a new payment will release the money. The CFTC describes scams where victims are asked to pay supposed taxes or fees before a withdrawal. Paying can lead to another demand.
Real fees and taxes also exist. Their rules depend on your country, account and product. Ask who receives the money and where the charge appears in your agreement. Check a claimed tax with the tax authority or an independent adviser.
Warning signs include a fresh crypto wallet, a personal bank account, an urgent deadline or a payment to raise your account level. Use contact details found independently, not just those sent by the caller.
How do I check who is holding my money?
Find the legal company in your account agreement. Match its name, website and permitted services with the relevant official register. A licence held by a different business does not cover the website you used.
Our broker licence guide shows the checks. Watch for a clone firm: a site using a real firm's name or licence details without permission.
An app balance is not proof that trades took place. Nor does an early small payout prove that the rest of your money is available. Scammers may allow one to build trust.
What can I say in a withdrawal complaint?
Keep it factual. You can adapt this message:
I requested a withdrawal on [date] for [amount and currency]. Please confirm why it has not been paid, the contract term you rely on, and when you expect to resolve it. Please also give me your formal complaints process and a reference for this complaint.
Keep a copy. Do not add passwords or full card details. If you suspect fraud, reporting the payment to your bank can happen alongside the complaint.
Can I get my money back?
The route depends on how you paid and who received it. Ask your card provider about a payment dispute, or your bank whether a transfer can be recalled.
Deadlines and eligibility vary. Describe the payment accurately, including whether you authorised it.
For crypto, keep the transaction ID and receiving address. Tell the exchange you used about suspected fraud. A transfer on a blockchain cannot usually be reversed in the way a card payment may be disputed.
If a real firm rejects your complaint, check which independent complaints service covers that firm and account. A regulator's report form is not the same as a refund claim.
Our reporting guide explains the distinction.
Be cautious if a new contact guarantees recovery for a fee. There is no guaranteed refund route. See our recovery scam explanation.
Would you like help sorting out the next step?
You do not have to work through every rule alone. Discuss my situation to request a free phone consultation. We can help you understand the reply, the warning signs and the questions to ask next.
Have the website, payment dates, amounts and currency ready. We help you make sense of the situation; we cannot promise to recover the money.
Sources
Where to get help in your country
Choose your country to see where to check a company, report a scam and get help.
Choose your country to see local contacts. If it is not listed, you can ask our team for help.
🇬🇧 The United Kingdom
🔎 Check the firm
FCA Firm Checker — Search the firm name, its website, or the reference number it gave you.
🚨 Report it
Report Fraud (City of London Police) — Report online or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
↩ Ask for your money back
Financial Ombudsman Service — Complain to the firm first, then bring it here. Free, and it can order the firm to pay.
Every address above was opened and checked by us on 30 September 2026. Tell us if one has moved.
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