11: Investment Fraud

Just so you know, investment fraudsters are good at what they do.

To help protect yourself when approached with a potentially fraudulent investment opportunity, just remember the three R’s – recognize, reject, and report.

By learning and recognizing suspicious investment offers, you’ll be in a better position to reject a fraudulent investment.

There are many investment scams, but one medium that allows you to be exposed to potential scams every day is the internet.

The internet gives us plentiful opportunities to connect to others and share content worldwide with ease. Social media, in particular, provides fraudsters with access to personal information to target potential investors and even create the illusion of a shared common interest.

You should be cautious of investment opportunities you learn about through the internet. When you see an offering on the internet – whether it’s on a company’s website, in an online newsletter, on a message board, or on social media – you should do your homework before investing.

The BCSC has resources to help you do your research on potential investment offers.

On InvestRight.org, the BCSC’s investor education website, we provide information on how to do a background check on an investment advisor in four simple steps, including how to check registration.

The BCSC’s corporate website hosts a variety of resources you can use to research companies and individuals. These include the Investment Caution List, the National Disciplined List, and a Criminal Enforcement page.

Remember, an individual must be registered to sell securities in BC. If the person is not registered to sell securities, it’s a warning to dig deeper.

Deeper.

Deeper.

If you believe an investment offer is fraudulent, reject it and take the time to report it to the BC Securities Commission.

You can report suspicious activity anonymously through our Report a Concern form. Remember to keep records in case you need to make a complaint or take legal action.

If you aren’t sure about an exemption, call BCSC Inquiries for more information.

Always get the facts before you invest.

Otherwise, you may risk losing all of your money to an investment scam.

Want to know more about investment fraud? Contact the BC Securities Commission.