When you're thinking about moving $50,000 or more into a Gold IRA, seeing the word "lawsuit" anywhere near the company name will make your stomach drop. That's a normal reaction—it's your money, and you should be skeptical.
So I dug into every public record, regulatory filing, and consumer complaint database I could find. Here's what I discovered about Augusta Precious Metals and their legal history.
Verdict: Augusta is Clean
Our investigation found no evidence of any class-action lawsuits, CFTC enforcement actions, or regulatory penalties against Augusta Precious Metals. None.
In fact, Augusta is famous for having zero BBB complaints since their founding—a record that almost no other Gold IRA company can match. Most companies have dozens.
Get Augusta's Free Gold IRA GuideWhere Did the "Lawsuit" Rumors Come From?
When you Google "Gold IRA lawsuit," you'll find stories about the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) cracking down on several precious metals dealers. These were big cases with headlines like "$180 Million Gold Fraud" and "Elderly Victims Scammed."
Natural reaction? Search every company you're considering to make sure they weren't involved. That's smart due diligence.
The problem is that most people lump all Gold IRA companies together. They assume if one company got sued, they're all shady. But here's the reality: Augusta wasn't mentioned in any of these cases. Not as a defendant, not as a witness, not anywhere.
The Companies That Actually Got Sued
Let me clarify which companies the CFTC and state regulators have actually taken action against:
- Metals.com / TMTE Inc. – Ordered to pay $180 million for defrauding customers, many of them elderly. They sold "exclusive" coins at 200-300% markups.
- Red Rock Secured – Faced CFTC charges for similar practices. Used scare tactics and sold overpriced numismatic coins.
- Various smaller dealers – Multiple fly-by-night operations have been shut down for fraud.
Augusta Precious Metals operates completely differently from these companies. Here's how:
What Got Other Companies in Trouble
- • Selling "rare" or "exclusive" coins at massive markups (200%+)
- • Using fear-based sales tactics ("The dollar is about to collapse!")
- • Targeting elderly customers with high-pressure calls
- • Hiding the true spread between buy and sell prices
Augusta explicitly does none of this. Their Harvard-trained economist, Devlyn Steele, runs educational webinars where he tells customers NOT to put 100% into gold. They recommend standard IRS-approved bullion—not overpriced collectibles. And they have a "no hard sell" policy that's actually enforced.
How Augusta Maintains Zero Complaints
Having zero BBB complaints in the Gold IRA industry is almost unheard of. Most reputable companies have at least 10-20. So how does Augusta pull this off?
The Confirmation Call
Before any purchase, a compliance team member calls to verify you understand what you're buying and that no one pressured you. This catches problems before they happen.
Transparent Pricing
They show you exactly what you're paying above spot price. No hidden fees, no surprise markups. If you don't like the price, they don't guilt trip you.
$50k Minimum Actually Helps
By focusing on serious investors, Augusta avoids the "volume game" that pushes other companies to use aggressive tactics. They'd rather have fewer, happier customers.
Bottom Line: Should You Trust Augusta?
Based on everything I found, Augusta Precious Metals is one of the safest places to open a Gold IRA—if you can meet their $50,000 minimum. Their spotless regulatory record, zero complaints, and education-first approach set them apart from the companies that have gotten into legal trouble.
The "lawsuit" searches are mostly from cautious investors doing their homework—which is exactly what you should do. The good news is that Augusta passes the test.
If you have less than $50k, check out our reviews of Goldco or Birch Gold, which have lower minimums.