First things first. The majority of online Forex brokers do not participate in Forex trading scams. This is a fact. But when you're dealing with an industry that turns over trillions of dollars a day, you'd be nave to think there aren't people out there trying to take advantage of the Forex trader who may be unaware.
Bernie Madoff didn't get everyone to stop trading stocks. As is true with every industry, whether you're trading Forex or getting a new refrigerator; it's 'buyer beware'. There are Forex trading scams all over the place and you need not necessarily trust your online Forex broker.
Of course there are precautions you should take. Firstly, don't keep a huge amount of money in your account. Leave enough for a nice cushion for margin and so you don't have to trade the Forex market with 'scared money', but you shouldn't consider it your bank account. It doesn't matter how reputable your online Forex broker is, and even if they've never been involved in Forex trading scams; it's just good practice to protect yourself that way.
Don't fall for the hype. Obviously, the online Forex broker is going to promote themselves on their website, but it's a good idea to pay attention to all the hype they're spewing. The old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true; it probably is," is absolutely true when trying to sniff out Forex trading scams.
There is no one in Forex who can promise you that you are going to get rich quick. As a matter of fact, there's no guarantee any Forex trader is going to get rich at all. One of the most common Forex trading scams is for an online Forex broker to get the trader to put in money, and then the broker sucks it dry quickly; commonly known as 'churn and burn'.
Do your Forex research. Read independent online Forex broker reviews and study their website. Check out the comments on the review sites. Go to some Forex forums and ask questions. There are always people willing to help. Remember that this is your money you're dealing with and you want to be careful.
