Beginners’ FAQs

Here are some answers to our commonly asked questions, including how to deposit funds and how to get started with PureDeal.

Deposit funds

Do I need to deposit any funds to activate my account?

You don't need to send any money to activate your account, though you will have to deposit funds before you start placing bets.

How do I fund my spread betting account?

We accept a wide range of payment methods. However, the quickest way to send funds to your account is to register your debit card. This will enable you to make deposits online very easily whenever you wish.  To register your card, enter your details via the Payments button or by visiting the My Account area within PureDeal.

How safe are my funds with IG Index?

Your funds are completely safe. When you open an account with us we will hold your money on a segregated basis, according to the Financial Service Authority's client money rules. Under these rules, we pay the full balance of our clients' money into client bank accounts. The money is treated as belonging to our clients and cannot be used by us, so the security of our clients' money is absolutely unaffected by whatever happens to us.

To discover more about IG Index and our parent company IG Group, see Client Money Protection.

Enhance your spread betting skills

How can I learn more about spread betting?

We offer a free, six-week education course to help you learn spread betting at your own pace. With TradeSense you can place bets starting at just 10 pence per point – one of the lowest bet sizes in the market. You may have registered for TradeSense when you opened your account with us. If not, call us on 0800 288 8300 and we will arrange this for you.

Can I get more information on trading strategies, charting methods etc?

Our extensive range of free online seminars, conducted by chief market strategist David Jones, covers topics such as risk management using stop orders; forex trading; trading with PureDeal; charting and trading strategies and more so you can place your first bet with confidence and continue learning from there.

Start dealing on PureDeal

Will I need to download any software before I start spread betting?

Our award-winning dealing platform, PureDeal, is completely browser-based, meaning you don't need to download any software. You can also access your account through your iPhone or other smartphone. Users of other mobile devices can download our mobile dealer, allowing you to trade all our markets on the move. Stay in touch 24-hours-a-day, from anywhere around the world!

How soon can I begin spread betting?

If you apply online, providing we are able to verify your identity and once you have deposited funds to your account, you could be up and running within minutes.

I'd like someone to deal on my behalf. Can I appoint a Power of Attorney to trade for me?

Yes. Initially, please open an account in the usual way. Once your account is open, we will send you a Power of Attorney form which will allow a nominated third party to access your account.

Further guidance

If you would like to find out more detailed information on the intricacies of how to spread bet with IG, see our Dealing Handbook, or take a look at our extensive Spread Betting Glossary.