IMPORTANT: On May 15, 2023, Red Rock Secured and three individuals at the company have been charged by the SEC with an alleged fraud scheme SEE CASE DETAILS. This is an ongoing case and more information will be published here as and when available.
UPDATE: On April 23, 2024, the United States District Court for the Central District of California entered a final consent judgment against defendants Red Rock Secured (which now operates under the name American Coin Co.), its CEO Sean Kelly, and managers Anthony Spencer and Jeffrey Ward, ordering defendants to pay more than $76.4 million dollars in disgorgement, interest, and penalties. The judgment resolves the SEC’s charges against defendants for their roles in a scheme to defraud retirement account holders out of more than $50 million in connection with defendants’ sales of gold and silver coins between 2017 and 2022. SEE RULING
Red Rock Secured Review – Fast Stats:
Company Overview
Red Rock Secured is one of America’s best-known gold retirement specialists operating nationally across the US from their headquarters in California.
Whilst they will supply precious metals investments for any need, their true field of expertise and specialization is providing tax-advantaged ‘Gold IRAs’ a specific type of self-directed IRA capable of holding physical precious metals.
Red Rock’s Main Services
Red Rock Secured supply investment-grade precious metals bars and coins, either as part of a self-directed Gold IRA held within secure vaulting, or directly to their customer’s homes – the idea being that these investments can help protect a customer’s wealth thanks to gold and silver’s proven use as a portfolio diversifier and market hedge.
Having enjoyed strong growth since their 2009 incorporation, Red Rock Secured are now one of the market leaders in precious metals retirement, where they serve the full spectrum of investors from High Net Worth and sophisticated buyers spending multiple millions to mom-and-pop first time customers looking to make a $10K purchase. For customers looking for new IRA accounts, performing rollovers and transfers, or those wanting to arrange ultra-secure storage and custodian services – Red Rock Secured deliver excellent value investment-grade gold, silver, platinum and palladium directly into customer accounts.
For customers looking for a reliable and ethical precious metals dealer, they will of course supply their full range of metals outside of an IRA directly to your home or they can arrange high-security storage at a choice of industry-leading facilities. Their team of highly trained precious metals specialists are happy to discuss any aspects of your investment plans and work up a strategy to match.
If you have any questions their telephone helpline or online chat offers free, no obligation assistance.
Gold IRA Transfer and Rollovers
Red Rock Secured have been at the forefront of the Gold IRA market since 2009, helping smart investors enjoy the special tax advantages on offer when buying certain precious metals products inside a suitable retirement account.
Because of gold and silver’s historic uses as a form of wealth protection insurance during times of crisis, Red Rock Secured has prepared a valuable Free Guide explaining exactly what gold and silver can do when the next banking or financial crisis hits.
To help you enjoy maximum advantage from gold and silver in your retirement plan, Red Rock Secured offers the following specialist services:
#1: New Precious Metals IRAs
In order to buy tax-advantaged gold and silver, you need a specific type of IRA. Red Rock can help you open an appropriate Self Directed IRA if you don’t already have one – their team of professionals have opened thousands of accounts and developed a butter-smooth process to easily and efficiently get you invested.
Making arrangements with a choice of top Gold IRA custodians and secure gold depositories on your behalf, Red Rock Secured can handle every element of the process should you wish and will even help you select a mixture of metals products based on your requirements.
From initial inquiry to having gold and silver protecting your retirement can take as little as 10-14 days – cash accounts in as little as 24 hours – and for 90% of their customers these services carry zero custodial or management fees.
#2: IRA Rollovers / Transfers
For customers who already have a regular IRA, an employee 401k or similar savings account, Red Rock Secured are able to carry out fast and efficient rollovers or transfers to a Gold SDIRA.
This transfer is typically required because not all accounts are capable of holding physical precious metals such as gold bars and coins. Customer funds will then need to be moved to the right type of account, which has to follow a specific process to avoid creating a distribution (which could create a taxable event and even a tax penalty.) At the end of the day there’s little point saving tax on one hand then paying extra tax or penalties on another.
Thankfully specialists like Red Rock Secured perform hundreds of Gold IRA rollover and transfers every month and have a procedure that runs like clockwork. From liaising with your existing trustees or custodian, to working with your new account, their team are able to transfer or rollover funds from an old to new account sooner than many gold dealers reply to an email.
Certainly the IRS may make their tax rules complex, but specialists like Red Rock Secured exist to take all the pain out of the process, providing customers with a tax-advantaged and wealth-preserving asset while minimizing stress.
Red Rock Secured’s free Gold IRA Guide covers all aspects of the process and should be an essential read for anyone looking to hold physical gold in an IRA.
Red Rock’s Step-by-Step IRA Process
- A customer will initiate contact with Red Rock Secured, through their website or by requesting a free gold investor guide.
- They will then speak with a precious metals professional for a short initial chat to answer any questions they may have and to discover if precious metals or a gold IRA would be a good fit for their future plans.
- When a customer wishes to move forward they will have a phone call or online video chat with an IRA Specialist who will gather the required information to take the next step.
- Either a new account is established and transfer of funds initiated, or if the customer already has a suitable IRA they move onto the next step.
- With funds in the account, the customer’s Account Executive will discuss and if required help select a choice of precious metal bars and coins which will then be purchased.
- Invested inventory is placed directly into the customer’s IRA account at their chosen secure depository. This typically takes 3-4 days, but may take up to 2-5 weeks depending on choice of products.
The items are then held in the IRA account until such time as the customer wishes to withdraw. At this point Red Rock Secured may ask for first opportunity to buy back – and they generally offer better than average prices on any metals they themselves sold.
IRA Custodian Services
All IRAs should be held by a qualified and IRS vetted custodian – a trusted and accredited third party who will help keep your IRA investments secure and compliant with storage rules.
These rules for custodians are strict and because custodians have a fiduciary duty of care to their clients they must meet and maintain high standards for IRS approval.
Be aware that not all custodians are set up to handle physical precious metals, or are well-versed in the sometimes complex IRS rules and regulations specific to precious metals. This is why Red Rock Secured only works with the most trusted precious metals custodians in the business and will typically suggest a custodian suited to your overall needs – especially if you’re looking at buying other alternative assets.
Red Rock Secured’s main precious metals custodian is currently Equity Trust – however the company is flexible enough to work with your preference of professional custodian.
The required minimum purchase at Red Rock Secured to start a gold IRA is only $10,000.
Fees for management, storage and custodianship are typically zero for a majority of qualified customers, however if a customer wishes to use a different company to Red Rock Secured’s principal custodial partner, then fees will vary depending on the company you select to handle these services.
Remember gold in an IRA should not be held at home – current advice states it should be held in an approved bullion depository, a specialist high security bullion vault assessed by the IRS as meeting strict standards. This is something Red Rock Secured will arrange on your behalf during the set-up of your IRA. For more details on secure storage see the next section; Storage.
The Red Rock Secured Gold IRA Guide contains more information on working with IRA custodians and is delivered free to your home.
High Security: Precious Metals Storage
Whether inside of an IRA or as part of your personal / family investment portfolio – gold and silver is most secure when it’s being held in a specialist metals storage facility or depository.
Although specialist storage is a legal requirement for an IRA, it’s recommended for any precious metals portfolio over $10,000. Despite home safes being insurance-rated for cash or cash equivalents, and with many of the better ones being rated at $25,000, $50,000 and even $100,000 – they can never offer the same level of protection provided by a professional gold depository.
High security normally comes at a high cost, but thanks to the enormous economy of scale these large depositories operate at, many can provide all your storage needs regardless of how big your holding at minimal comparative expense – and in Red Rock Secured’s case thanks to special arrangements they have with some of the top vaults in the country, at zero cost to their customers.
Red Rock’s recommended gold storage services are the Delaware Depository Services Company and Brinks.
At time of writing the annual storage fee for IRA storage services through Delaware Depository Services or Brinks is fully absorbed by Red Rock Secured for 90% of their qualified customers.
For full details of these special storage offers or to claim the free* storage for yourself, request Red Rock’s Free Gold Investor Guide.
Red Rock Secured Reviews: Online
Thanks to their strong ethics, dedicated focus on customer care and fast efficient services, Red Rock Secured reviews are wholly positive across all major review websites and ratings aggregators, averaging 5 stars, AAA or A+ ratings.
Their IRA Reviews are as to be expected the most common review found online although there are reviews from non-IRA customers and even coin collectors thanks to their occasional promotions on Proof American Silver Eagles and Proof American Gold Eagles. Red Rock’s excellent free Webinar also receives frequent mention.
As of March 2023, Red Rock Secured reviews among the main consumer protection sites are:
Retirement Living: ★★★★★ (24 Reviews)
Consumer Affairs: ★★★★★ (136 Reviews)
We ask all customers to leave Red Rock Secured reviews and ratings using the “Reviews” tab at the top of this section. Your reviews, good or bad, will help future investors make a decision when choosing companies for their IRA or investment gold.
Detailed Ratings
The following ratings are based on a combination of third-party reviews, consumer feedback and our own experiences in dealing with Red Rock Secured and can be used to form a direct comparison with other precious metals dealers in the market.
The average score should be taken as 50%, below average is 40% and lower, above average is 60% and higher. Ratings higher than 90% are considered excellent and are among best in class.
Metals Selection
Although Red Rock Secured are able to get hold of most well-known precious metals products, their in-stock lines are typically limited to the most popular mints and brands at the most popular sizes. Special orders may see delays of several weeks depending on wholesaler levels, so we recommend sticking with mainline items which are available direct from stock.
Metals Premium
Thanks to their high trade volumes, the premiums on their most commonly bought items and largest bullion bar sizes are excellent, especially in comparison to other Gold IRA specialists. It is true that many of the metals can be found a little cheaper at low budget bullion dealers, but we believe the value-added services Red Rock Secured can bring to the table provide greater value than the savings made in buying ‘cheap’.
Storage Costs
Red Rock’s IRA storage fees are on the whole unbeatable, being free of charge to 90% of their qualified customers and for anyone outside of their offer, fixed-price annual storage averages between $100-$150 regardless of quantity vaulted. This can give customers a significant saving versus companies who charge a percentage-based fee.
Shipping Costs
Fully insured shipping costs are included in Red Rock’s already good-value pricing making home delivery orders an exceptional good deal.
Customer Care
This is where Red Rock Secured truly stand out. Their customers are generally extremely happy with all aspects of the company’s services. While there are occasional bad reviews as can be expected with any company operating on this scale, these are considerably lower in volume or for less serious matters than at other equivalent companies.
Overall Rating
We have rated Red Rock Secured a high 94% making them a top choice for Gold IRAs in 2023 and highly recommended in all other aspects. They are especially recommended for low-value IRA orders thanks to their market-leading $10,000 minimum, in a market niche where minimums typically run from $25,000 to $100,000.
Red Rock Secured Complaints
Red Rock Secured complaints, though relatively rare do exist and from looking at the most common complaints these tend to relate to small misunderstandings or elements of the process outside of their control. The most frequent complaint we see is related to shipping delays, but these tend to come at a time when all merchants are experiencing the same supply issues. We see zero indications of any major complaints or any suggestions of underhand tactics.
Other complaints when they do arise tend to be in regard to metals purchased (proof versus bullion) or timescale of investments (gold works best in the mid to long term and during crises). Complaints are never about non-delivery, miss-selling or other more serious problems that are sadly increasingly common in the market.
Complaints should be addressed to the customer services email: help@redrocksecured.com or by using the freecall number 844-847-3498
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Elizabeth – :
This is a review for Red Rock Secured (now called American Coin Company)
After repeatedly (3 times) stressing that my husband and I wanted to purchase $57,000 of silver in my IRA at the lowest premium over spot, and not pay any numismatic or artwork premium, the salesman M*** (M*****) S******** crammed Red Rock Secured’s highest premium and highest spread product, Silver Red Lions for which there is no active market outside Red Rock, into my account, with
1. Assertions that the values of the “premium product” appreciates at a higher rate than their “Common Bullion Products”.
2. M*** touted advantages at distribution because the tax valuation will be at “melt” value, not the higher retail value.
The FACT is that Red Rock’s phony retail was never the REAL value. There is no market for this junk.
I rejected that sales pitch each time.
3. M*** said Bullion products are tracked with a CUSIP number, and not private. I owned thousands of ounces of bullion, and not one bar was/is marked.
Nevertheless M*** crammed the fraudulently high-markup product into my account when my husband was not on the call, without disclosing the true premium for his “coins” despite numerous requests to disclose the premium/commission.
Instead of getting 2,323 oz of silver, I got 860 of their Silver Red Lion “coins” (which may not actually be Niue coins of a similar name, but Rounds of dubious value because the island nation Niue was never invoked), may not be 1oz, and may not be .9999pure.
Because life circumstances distracted my attention, and a quick glance at my statement showed a ‘total retail value’ of $58,600, I did not realize immediately that I had been tricked by substituting an extremely high markup “coin”. (probably not coins, but Rounds) My husband has acquired thousands of Rounds and bars over the last 20 years and we NEVER paid more than the Kitco rounds&bars premium for ANY silver, and sometimes paid less).
There is NO VALUATION THEORY that would support the deceptive high premium (per SEC case 2:23-cv-3682 charging fraud and deceit), nor the spread claimed by Red Rock.
Our investment went from $57k to $22k while the price of silver WENT UP. The difference is an exorbitant premium on the “coins” that was deceptively avoided in each discussion.
I would be willing to withdraw this complaint if Red Rock buys back, not at their fairy-tale bid price, but the retail for which they currently sell these rounds, and show as Market Value on my statement.
JUST LIQUIDATE AT THE MARKET VALUE SHOWN ON MY STATEMENT.
I will NOT agree to wait 3 years, and will NOT accept an unconscionable spread, for which they are under investigation by the SEC.
Mark T. – :
they shut down and set up the next day as another company.
Stan – :
these people overcharge for everything, their so-called premium coins are just basic bullion, buyer beware
D.S. – :
The Red Rock Secured representative was knowledgeable and found product that fitted my needs perfect. Friendly, reliable, easy to contact, and stay with you even after you receive your product.
Alice – :
I’ve been having a difficult period in my life after some unexpected changes but part of this turmoil has involved me dealing with Red Rock Secured, something which has been a remarkable experience for the best and which has been a highlight of my recent financial transition. Everyone I have dealt with have been both friendly and professional, a mix that can be hard to get right but has been perfectly practiced at this company. I would recommend Red Rock to anybody considering precious metals not just for the advice they offer but their actual pricing which is very fair.
Susan – :
Great company I only wish delivery was faster although I understand this is industry wide at the present moment.
James P. – :
I was meant to get a call back and nothing, its been a week now maybe I don’t tick a box?
Roger – :
They have been very friendly and patient andI have learned a lot across the process. My only ‘complaint’ is it took a few weeks to get the precious metals delivered to the depository and it would have helped eliminate worry if they’d pre-warned me of this ahead of time.
Donna – :
Customer service has been A+. I received my silver coins as and when expected. I must thank Noah who was particularly helpful and knowledgeable.
H Zhang – :
good company very helpful Jeff recommended
Eric – :
Trusted dealer very helpful no BS which believe me makes a change!
Gary S – :
My experience with Red Rock has been good, prompt replies to queries and fast to return calls
Jon O – :
The people I spoke with at Red Rock Secured spent a lot of time going through the process and reasoning behind precious metals. As a new investor who has never bought gold or silver before this was much appreciated. I am completely satisfied with them and feel much better now I have placed a portion of my IRA into metals. A standout advantage of the company is how at no point did anyone try to push me or give me stress about rushing to buy. I like to take my time and will not be pushed so they won my deal on this and another company who you say is high rated did not because they gave me grief for months. The other company phoned me 29 times I counted. Red Rock Secured would only call when they needed information from me and let me take full control over the time I proceeded. I would recommend this company to people who don’t like being sold to they are easy going and friendly while also totally professional.
Tracey – :
Good customer service answered all my questions in a timely manner by email or phone
Colin T. – :
Good company helpful but a little expensive compared to ** *******
Scot – :
I had been bordeline skeptical before I spoke with Jeff. We was very informative and I found him totally trustworthy with no use of any sales tatics!