Prop firm mistakes that cost traders their accounts

These are the slip-ups behind most failed accounts. All of them can be avoided.

Oversized trades

Going big to hit the target fast ends more accounts than anything else. Keep risk per trade small and steady.

Treating a trailing limit as static, or forgetting floating losses count. Our drawdown guide explains both.

Opening or closing inside a banned news window can wipe profits or fail the account.

Copying someone else's trades, or hedging between accounts or firms, breaks the rules almost everywhere.

The trading day resets on server time, so losses on either side of your midnight may fall on the same day.

Bought EAs often breach hold-time or high-frequency rules. Ask the firm in writing before using one.

After a loss, walk away. The next trade isn't better just because you need it.

Will I get a refund for an honest mistake?

Very rarely. A few firms offer a discounted retry.

Does the firm warn me first?

No. Hard breaches normally close the account automatically.