Account holders who have elected to opt out of IBKR's Secure Login System (SLS) effectively relinquish the protections afforded by Two-Factor Authentication. They are strongly encouraged to utilize alternative security measures, with one of those being the IP Restrictions. By selecting this setting through Client Portal, you're telling Interactive Brokers that you only want access to your trading platforms from a specified IP address. In addition, should you have multiple authorized traders for a given account, these restrictions can be set at the individual trader level by the master user of the account.
Before setting up the IP Restrictions, you will need to:
Please take note that the technical ability to misrepresent one's IP address exists, and full account protection is only ensured by using SLS Two-Factor Authentication (ibkr.com/sls).
If you have any questions on the topic, please feel free to contact IB's Technical Assistance Center.
Clients who have elected to perform an opt-out, thus using the Two-Factor Authentication only for the Client Portal, must activate the IP Restrictions in order to be able to activate Penny Stocks Trading Permissions.
The security questions represent just one component of the security framework which IB has put into place to protect your account. We offer the following simple tips for selecting your security questions and answers in order to make the most effective use of this security measure:
1. Choose questions having answers that you can remember in the future and answer consistently.
2. Use one-word answers whenever possible.
3. Be careful with spaces. If you use "San Diego" as an answer to one of your security questions, the system will reject "SanDiego."
4. Avoid using quirky or nonsensical answers as they'll likely to be difficult to remember later.
5. Select a question which cannot be easily guessed or researched, has many possible answers and where the probability of guessing the correct answer is low.
6. Select a question for which the answer is unlikely to be known by others such as a family member, close friend, relative, ex-spouse, or significant other.
7. Choose a question having an answer which is stable and not likely to change over time.
IB requires applicants to select and provide answers to three security questions each selected from a separate pool of questions having varying degrees of complexity. In the event we receive a telephone inquiry involving sensitive information, prior to acknowledging or discussing any account specific information with the caller we will first look to verify that caller's identity. This is accomplished through a multi-tier security process, one tier which requires that the caller answer a randomly selected security question. The caller must provide an answer to the security question which exactly matches the answer we have on file. Otherwise, the request for information will be denied and a potential lock-down placed upon the account.
Click on the link below which best describes your situation:
a. If operating with a temporary passcode, note that alpha characters are case sensitive and are required to be input in upper case format
b. If operating a security card or electronic device, note that there are no spaces between characters
Click on the link below which best describes your situation:
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are unable to resolve your account access issue from the information above, please contact your local Customer Service Center. Also note that for security purposes, all requests for login assistance must be initiated via telephone as it requires prior verification of the account holder's identity. A listing of Customer Service Centers, contact numbers and hours of operations may be found via the following website link: http://individuals.interactivebrokers.com/en/p.php?f=customerService&ib_...
a. If operating with a temporary passcode, note that alpha characters are case sensitive and are required to be input in upper case format
b. If operating a security card or electronic device, note that there are no spaces between characters
11. Receiving “BAD CHARACTER” message after entering my user name.
a. Re-enter your user name and make sure that you do not include any spaces or characters which are not either alpha or numeric (e.g. !@#$%^&*(.,”:...etc.).
The security of your assets and personal information is of utmost concern to us and we are committed to taking the steps necessary to ensure you are protected from the moment you open your account.
Clients who participate in the Secure Login System enjoy enhanced withdrawal capabilities, while clients who do not participate are subject to daily and weekly withdrawal restrictions. The amount that a participating client may withdraw or transfer over a given one- or five-day period increases commensurate with the protective value of the device and is outlined in the table below.
Security Device | Maximum Withdrawal per Day | Maximum Withdrawal in 5 Business Days |
---|---|---|
None | 50K USD | 100K USD |
SMS | 200K USD | 600K USD |
IB Key | 200K USD | 600K USD |
Security Code Card* | 200K USD | 600K USD |
Digital Security Card* | 1M USD | 1.5M USD |
Digital Security Card+ | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Platinum*/Gold* | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Please click on the use case below which best describes your login issue for guidance as to how to proceed:
I. No Access to Account Management or TWS
1. I forgot my User Name and/or password
2. I am temporarily without possession of my security device
3. My security device is lost or damaged
4. My temporary passcode has expired
5. My on-line security card has expired
II. Partial Access (Account Management only)
1. I am able to log into Account Management with my temporary passcode but not the trading platform
III. Full Access to both Account Management and TWS
1. I am in possession of my security device and wish to activate it.
For security purposes, all requests for assistance with a User Name and/or password must be initiated via telephone and require prior verification of the caller’s identity. Click here for a list of IB’s regional Customer Service center contact numbers.
If you are temporarily without possession of your security device, interim access may be provided by contacting your regional Customer Service center via telephone where, once your identity has been verified, you will be provided with a temporary passcode.
This temporary passcode is a static alpha-numeric code which replaces the random code supplied by your security device and which will provide full access to both Account Management and the trading platforms for 2 days. Should a lengthier period of interim access be necessary and to obtain enhanced protection, it is recommended that you use the temporary passcode to log into Account Management and print out the on-line security card which will operate as a replacement to your security device for up to 3 weeks.
After the expiration of the temporary passcode or on-line security card, or if you regain possession of your security device beforehand, you will need to log into Account Management and select the menu option to re-activate your security device.
In the case of a lost or damaged security device, you will need to contact our Customer Service center to arrange for a replacement and to provide for interim access. As the time frame for shipping a replacement device may range form 3 to 14 days depending upon your country of residence, interim access is provided via an on-line security card. The on-line security card may be retrieved for printing or saving as an image to your desktop once a temporary passcode has been provided for Account Management access.
The temporary passcode is intended to provide full access to both Account Management and the trading platforms for a period of 2 days. After 2 days, the temporary passcode may no longer be used to access the trading platforms but may be used to access Account Management for an additional period of 10 days. The Account Management access, however, is limited solely for the purpose of printing or saving the on-line security card.
If your window of access to Account Management using the temporary passcode remains, you may print or save the on-line security card through which full access to both Account Management and the trading platforms is provided for a period of 21 days. If you are unable to log into Account Management, you will need to contact your regional Customer Service center for assistance.
The on-line security card is intended to provide full access to both Account Management and the trading platforms for a period of 21 days. This time frame, while limited, is intended to provide sufficient opportunity for the account holder to either regain possession of a temporarily unavailable security device or request and receive a replacement device.
If you are unable to log in using the on-line security card, you will need to contact your regional Customer Service center for assistance and to provide information as to the status of your permanent security device.
If your window of access to Account Management using the temporary passcode remains, you may print or save the on-line security card through which full access to both Account Management and the trading platforms is provided for a period of 21 days.
If you are unable to log into Account Management, you will need to contact your regional Customer Service center for assistance.
To activate either a replacement device or one which was temporarily unavailable and which required issuance of a temporary passcode, you will need to log into Account Management and select the reactivate security device menu option. Once reactivated, neither the temporary passcode nor on-line security card will remain operable.
Interactive Brokers recommends that you change your PIN regularly to add an extra layer of security.
NOTE: If you do not know your current PIN, you would need to call Interactive Brokers directly to have it reset. Please use any of the phone numbers listed under: ibkr.com/support
Below you will find the procedure for changing the PIN code of your Security Device, according to the device type you are currently using:
The PIN of the DSC+ has to be changed from the Client Portal page, following the steps below:
Open the IBKR Mobile App.
Once the PIN has been successfully changed, you can close the IBKR Mobile app and log in to Account Management or to your trading platform using the new PIN.
Just like the DSC+, the PIN of the DSC is changed directly from Account Management/Client Portal page, following the steps below:
If you use a Platinum or a Gold device, you would only need to change the PIN directly on the device itself, following the instructions below:
1. Press the 'ON' button.
2. Enter your current PIN.
3. Once the CHALLNG? prompt is displayed, press the 'PIN' button.
4. Once the NEW PIN prompt is displayed, enter your NEW PIN.
5. Once the AGAIN prompt is displayed, re-enter the NEW PIN to confirm it.
6. If the new 4-digit PIN was re-entered successfully, a SUCCESS message will appear and the new PIN will be in effect immediately.
In the event you need to return your secure log in device to Interactive Brokers (due to damage, breakage, account consolidation or closing purposes), please follow the instructions below:
For your protection, we strongly recommend using a padded envelope for your return, and a carrier that provides a tracking number (e.g., UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS Express Mail only) since you will be held liable for the token's return. Please allow 3 - 5 business days after shipment for your account to reflect the receipt by IB of the returned device. Please note delivery time can vary due to carrier delays.
Additional Action For Replacement Returns
If this is a replacement return and not a closing of an account, please call our security support team, at the number below, to notify us of your defective device and we will provide you with a temporary security code allowing you to continue to access your account until you receive your new secure log in device. IB offers multiple device types, and the replacement considerations associated with each are outlined below:
For Digital Security Card+ (DSC+) Users:
If you are returning a Digital Security Card+ (Exhibit 1), and require a replacement device, you will need to log into Account Management and request a new DSC+ (see here for directions.)
Exhibit 1
For Platinum and Gold Device Users:
These types of devices (Exhibit 2) do not need to be returned to IB and can be discarded. Platinum and Gold devices have been discontinued and replacements are no longer available. If you require a replacement device, you will need to log into Account Management and request a new Digital Security Card+ as shown in Exhibit 1 (see here for directions.)
Exhibit 2
For Digital Security Card (DSC) Users:
These types of devices (Exhibit 3) do not need to be returned to IB and can be discarded. Digital Security Cards have been discontinued and replacements are no longer available. If you require a replacement device, we recommend activating the IB Key Authentication via IBKR Mobile (see here for directions.)
Exhibit 3
For Security Code Card Users:
These types of devices (Exhibit 4) do not need to be returned to IB and can be shredded and discarded. If you require a replacement device, we recommend activating the IB Key Authentication via IBKR Mobile (see here for directions.)
Exhibit 4
US / Canada |
Europe |
Mailing Address: Interactive Brokers, LLC. Attn: Token Return Department 8 Greenwich Office Park 2nd Floor Greenwich, CT 06831 USA US Contact: 1 (877) 442-2757 (Toll free) 1 (312) 542-6901 (Direct dial) Canadian Contact: 1 (877) 745-4222 (Toll free) 1 (514) 847-3499 (Direct dial) |
Mailing Address: Interactive Brokers(U.K.)LTD. Attn: Token Return Department Gotthardstrasse 3 CH-6301 Zug Switzerland EU Contact: 00800-42-276537 (Toll free) +41-41-726-9500 (Direct dial) Russia Contact: 8-800-100-8556 (Toll free) +41-41-726-9506 (Pyсский) |
Asia |
Australia |
Mailing Address: Interactive Brokers, LLC. Attn: Token Return Department Suite 1512, Two Pacific Place 88 Queensway Admiralty Hong Kong Contact: +852-2156-7907 (廣東話) +86 (21) 6086 8586 (普通话) |
Mailing Address: Interactive Brokers, LLC. Attn: Token Return Department PO Box R229 Royal Exchange, NSW, 1225 Australia Contact: +61 (2) 8093-7300 |
Japan | |
Mailing Address: Interactive Brokers Securities Japan, Inc. Attn: Token Return Department 4th Flr Tekko Kaikan, 3-2-10, Nihonbashi Kayabacho, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo 103-0025 Japan Contact: +81 (3) 4588 9710 Direct dial (English) |
送り先: インタラクティブ・ブローカーズ証券株式会社 〒103-0025 東京都中央区日本橋茅場町3-2-10 鉄鋼会館4階 トークン戻る学科接触: +81 (3) 4588 9700 直通 (日本語) |
Account Closing
Access to Account Management for the purpose of reviewing and/or printing activity statements and any tax forms is provided following the return of your device and closing of your account. Once closed, you will be able to log in without the security device and will only need your existing user name and password.
Multiple accounts maintained in the same name and taxpayer ID number are grouped for purposes of applying the maximum per client protection limits of $500,000 by SIPC and $29.5 million under Lloyd’s supplementary protection. However, if you hold accounts with IBKR in separate capacities (for example, an account in your name, a trust account of which you are the trustee or a beneficiary, or a joint account), then each account would be protected by SIPC and the supplementary protection up to the stated limits.
Links: