Augusta Precious Metals Complaints: What the Record Shows (2026)
Augusta Precious Metals complaints, in short: Augusta has an A+ BBB rating and has been accredited since February 2015, and our search of the SEC and CFTC websites found no enforcement action naming it. The complaints that do come up are mostly about fit: the $50,000 minimum, the setup steps, and costs that need to be asked about. Below is what we checked, where to check it yourself, and how to read Augusta's very high review scores.
Augusta Precious Metals BBB rating and other ratings, and how to read them
Augusta Precious Metals BBB rating: A+, with BBB accreditation since February 17, 2015, according to Augusta's FAQ. The BBB grade reflects how a business handles complaints and how long it has operated; it is not a rating of investment returns.
| Where | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau | A+ rating; 4.93/5 from customers | 134 |
| Business Consumer Alliance | AAA | 144 |
| 4.9/5 | 736 | |
| ConsumerAffairs | 4.9/5 | 186 |
| TrustLink | 4.9/5 | 317 |
Where these numbers come from: Augusta's own About page, which says it verified them on July 16, 2026. The BBB accreditation date (February 17, 2015) and A+ rating are also stated in Augusta's FAQ. Check the live profiles before you rely on them, since counts change.
One thing to keep in mind: Augusta says it “may offer a small thank-you gift to customers who leave a review.” That is disclosed, and it is common in this industry, but it tends to push averages up. The more useful reading is the 1, 2 and 3-star reviews and the BBB complaint text, where you see what actually went wrong and how the company answered.
Sources: Augusta Precious Metals, About (ratings verified July 16, 2026); Augusta FAQ (BBB accreditation date).
The Augusta complaints that come up, and what is behind them
Across the reviews we read, unhappy customers rarely describe missing metal or fraud. The complaints are about how Augusta's model works. Here are the ones that come up, and what to do about each before you buy.
| Complaint | What is behind it | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| "The minimum is too high" | Augusta requires $50,000 for IRA and cash purchases alike. | Check your amount first. Under $50,000, compare Birch Gold or Goldco. |
| "Setup steps were not clear" | A rollover involves three parties: Augusta, the custodian (Equity Trust) and your old plan. | Ask for a written list of steps and who does each one. Our rollover guide walks through it. |
| "I paid more than spot" | Every dealer charges a spread. Augusta does not publish its spread as a percentage. | Get the price of each coin and the spot price in writing before you approve the order. |
| "The buyback price was lower than I expected" | Augusta says it has never declined a buyback, but it cannot legally guarantee one, and the price is set when you sell. | Ask how the buyback price is calculated before you buy, not when you sell. |
| "Gold went down after I bought" | Market risk. No dealer controls the price of gold. | Only buy what you can hold through a downturn. |
Sources: Retirement Living review (updated October 8, 2026) for the minimum and setup complaints; Augusta FAQ for the minimum, custodian, pricing and buyback terms.
Has Augusta Precious Metals been sued or fined?
Regulators: In October 2026 we searched the websites of the SEC and the CFTC, the two federal agencies that most often bring precious metals fraud cases. We found no enforcement action naming Augusta Precious Metals.
Civil cases: Court-record websites list a small number of civil cases naming Augusta, for example Westwood One, LLC v. Augusta Precious Metals, Inc. in New York, and a case filed by an individual in Sacramento, California. The public listings we could reach do not describe the claims or the outcome, so we are not going to guess. Businesses of this size are often parties to contract and advertising disputes. If a case matters to your decision, ask for the case number and look it up yourself.
"Augusta lawsuit" articles: If you search for an Augusta Precious Metals lawsuit, you will find many pages with dramatic titles and no case numbers, court names or links to filings. Treat any claim without a court and a case number as unverified.
What a real enforcement record looks like, for contrast: in April 2024 a federal court in California ordered Red Rock Secured, an unrelated precious metals dealer, and two of its executives to pay about $56 million after a case brought by the CFTC and state regulators. The CFTC said the company sold coins to at least 950 people, mostly with retirement money, at undisclosed markups of about 92% to 130%. That is the kind of record you find on a regulator's website when a dealer has defrauded customers. We found nothing like it for Augusta.
Sources: CFTC press release on Red Rock Secured (April 25, 2024); SEC litigation releases; CFTC enforcement actions. Searches done October 2026.
How to check complaints against any gold IRA company in 10 minutes
- Read the BBB complaints, not just the gradeOpen the company's BBB profile and read the complaint text and the company's answers. Look for patterns, and for whether the company replies.
- Search the regulatorsSearch the company name on the SEC and CFTC enforcement pages and on your state attorney general's site.
- Look up any lawsuit by case numberFederal cases are on PACER. A lawsuit claim with no court and no case number is not evidence.
- Read the low-star reviewsOn Google, TrustLink or ConsumerAffairs, sort by lowest rating. That is where you learn what can go wrong.
- Ask the CFTC's questionsThe CFTC and FINRA publish ten questions to ask any metals dealer, including the spot price, the spread and whether a coin is bullion or numismatic.
Sources: CFTC and FINRA, 10 Things to Ask Before Buying Physical Gold, Silver, or Other Metals; PACER. Our gold IRA scams and red flags guide covers the warning signs.
How to raise a complaint with Augusta
- Use your time windowsAugusta lists a 7-day money-back guarantee when an account is opened, and a 24-hour window to cancel if another dealer offers a higher buyback price. Act inside those windows.
- Write to your assigned agentPut the problem, the order details and what you want in an email, so there is a record.
- File with the BBBThe BBB forwards your complaint to Augusta and posts the response on its public profile.
- Escalate if neededFor suspected fraud, contact your state attorney general or submit a tip to the CFTC.
Source: Augusta FAQ (money-back guarantee and buyback window). Checked October 2026.
Should Augusta's complaints worry you?
Based on what we could check, no. The record shows a company with a long A+ BBB history, no federal enforcement action and complaints that are mostly about its $50,000 minimum and about costs you need to ask for. That does not remove the need to ask: get the price per coin, the spot price, the number of fee-free years and the buyback terms in writing. Our Augusta fees and minimum guide shows what to ask and why.
Augusta Precious Metals complaints: frequently asked questions
Does Augusta Precious Metals have complaints?
Yes, like any company of its size, but few and mostly about fit rather than fraud. Augusta holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has been BBB accredited since February 2015. Reviewers who are unhappy most often mention the $50,000 minimum and the account setup steps. You can read every BBB complaint and Augusta's reply on its BBB profile.
Has Augusta Precious Metals been sued?
Court-record websites list a small number of civil cases naming Augusta, including Westwood One, LLC v. Augusta Precious Metals, Inc. in New York. The public listings we could reach do not describe the claims or outcomes. Our search of the SEC and CFTC websites in October 2026 found no enforcement action naming Augusta Precious Metals.
Is Augusta Precious Metals a scam?
We found no evidence of that. Augusta has sold gold and silver since 2012, stores IRA metals with an independent custodian and depository, publishes its account fees and has an A+ BBB rating. Like any dealer, it earns money on the price of the metal, so ask for the price of each coin and the spot price in writing.
Are Augusta's online reviews reliable?
Augusta's ratings are very high, about 4.9 out of 5 on several sites as reported by Augusta in July 2026. Augusta also says it may offer a small thank-you gift to customers who leave a review, which can push scores up. Read the lower-star reviews and the BBB complaint text, not only the average.
How do I file a complaint against Augusta Precious Metals?
Start with your assigned Augusta agent and put the problem in writing. If that does not solve it, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, which forwards it to the company for a response. For suspected fraud, you can also contact your state attorney general or submit a tip to the CFTC.
What should I check before buying from Augusta?
Get the price of each product and the spot price in writing, the number of years of fees Augusta will pay on your account, the custodian and depository names, and how the buyback price is set. The CFTC lists ten questions to ask any metals dealer before you buy.
Check the facts, then decide
Read the BBB profile, ask for every price and fee in writing, and compare. If you are moving $50,000 or more, Augusta's free kit is an easy way to see its terms first.
Get the Free Gold IRA Info KitFor balances of $50,000 or more.
Or compare all four companies in Best Gold IRA Companies of 2026