Protecting friends, family and yourself from investment fraud shouldn’t be intimidating. In fact, we have a few easy activities you can do in under an hour to help a neighbor or family member outsmart investment fraud!
- Order the free “Trick$ of the Trade: Outsmarting Investment Fraud” DVD for a friend.
- Visit http://CreateTheGood.org/fightfraud/DVD or call 866-973-4672 to order a free, hour-long documentary that uncovers the persuasion tactics con artists use to defraud victims and basic tools to help defend against fraud.
- Encourage others to order the DVD.
- Help protect friends from investment fraud.
- Help friends recognize if they are at risk of investment fraud or are already being scammed.
- Visit www.SaveAndInvest.org — a free online resource developed by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation — to check out the Risk Meter or Scam Meter and help your friend answer the questions.
- Check to see if a financial professional is registered.
- Ask your friend for the investment seller’s name and his/her company (if possible).
- Log onto www.SaveAndInvest.org/55Plus/Invest/Sellers and follow the prompts.
- Call 888-295-7422 if you have questions or to search by phone.
- Check to see if an investment product is registered.
- Ask your friend for the name of the investment product or company.
- Log on to www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html and follow the prompts.
- Call 888-SEC-0330 if you have questions.
- Help friends recognize if they are at risk of investment fraud or are already being scammed.
- Contact your state securities regulator.
- Get information about an investment seller or file a complaint against one if you believe they’ve engaged in fraudulent practices.
- Find your state securities regulator at www.nasaa.org or call 202-737-0900.
- Reduce a friend’s exposure to sales pitches.
- Sign a friend up for the Do Not Call list by visiting www.donotcall.gov or calling 888-382-1222.
- Help a friend take their name and address off of direct mail marketing lists by visiting www.dmachoice.org.
