Overview of Access Mercantile Services (accessmercantileservices.com.au)
Access Mercantile Services operates under the domain accessmercantileservices.com.au and offers online trading services primarily in financial instruments such as forex, commodities, and CFDs. This review evaluates the platform across key categories including regulation, trading conditions, technology security, financial operations, and reputation.
Regulatory Status & Licensing
Is Access Mercantile Services Regulated?
As of the latest data from major global financial regulators:
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): No record found for “Access Mercantile Services” or any associated entity.
- UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): No licensed firm by this name appears in FCA’s register.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or NFA: No registration exists for this company or related brokers.
🔍 Key Risk – Unregulated Broker
- No recognized regulatory oversight globally
- High risk of non-compliance with investor protection standards
Websites offering financial services without licenses from major regulators fall into the category of unregulated brokers , which often operate outside legal frameworks designed to protect investors.
If you’re researching “unregulated brokers ”, this should raise a red flag.
Trading Conditions
Spreads and Fees
According to user reports and platform screenshots:
- Spreads are variable and appear wider than industry averages for comparable instruments.
- No detailed fee schedule is publicly listed.
- Users have reported additional charges for dormant accounts and withdrawal processing.
Hidden Costs
Potential hidden costs include:
- Inactivity fees after 90 days
- Withdrawal fees depending on payment method
- Slippage during high volatility periods (common with unregulated platforms)
These practices are often seen in scam analysis cases, where lack of transparency leads to disputes.
Technological Infrastructure
Security Features
The website uses:
- SSL Encryption: Yes, HTTPS is implemented.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Not clearly stated; no login process is visible to verify this.
- PCI DSS Compliance: Unclear if payments comply with this standard.
Without confirmation of 2FA or compliance with recognized cybersecurity standards like PCI DSS , traders face increased exposure to unauthorized access and fraud.
Financial Operations
Withdrawal Speed and Minimum Amounts
User reports suggest:
- Withdrawals take longer than 5 business days on average.
- Minimum withdrawal amounts vary depending on the method used.
- Some users report delayed or blocked withdrawals without explanation.
These issues are commonly flagged in investigations around license violations and unregulated broker activities.
It is unclear whether funds are held in segregated accounts, a standard practice among regulated brokers to protect client assets.
Reputation & Customer Support
Customer Feedback
Trustpilot:
- Search results returned no verified profile for “Access Mercantile Services”.
Reddit & Forums:
- Multiple threads cite difficulties with withdrawals and lack of responsive support.
- Some users claim misleading deposit bonuses that were later revoked.
Legal Disputes:
- No public court records found as of yet.
- However, absence of legal action does not imply legitimacy—many victims of online broker scams do not pursue formal litigation due to jurisdictional challenges.
⚠️ Poor Transparency & User Experience
- Lack of reviews on trusted platforms
- Delayed customer service responses
- Reports of withdrawal issues
Conclusion: Should You Trade With Access Mercantile Services?
Based on publicly available data:
- Unlicensed and unregulated broker (no ASIC, FCA, or SEC presence)
- Opaque trading conditions with possible hidden fees
- Limited security features and unclear fund handling
- Negative user feedback regarding withdrawals and support
Given these factors, we advise caution. Traders are encouraged to choose platforms regulated by major authorities like ASIC, FCA, or CySEC , which offer better safeguards and dispute resolution mechanisms.
