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How to Report an Investment Scam or Fraud

Report a Concern to the BCSC
Contact the BCSC

BC Securities Commission (BCSC) enforcement staff investigate market misconduct derived from tips and complaints from the general public.

Each time you contact us, you’ll be in touch with a BCSC staff member who will direct your query within the BCSC or to an outside agency.

How to Report a Concern to the BCSC

When you report suspicious investment activity, it allows us to further look into the matter.

The BCSC has an online form to help investors report information. Investors can submit a tip, file a complaint, or report a scam related to investments or securities.

Investors can also report concerns via email or by calling 1-800-373-6393.

What Do I Need to Contact the BCSC?

The more information you have before contacting us, the easier it is to guide your inquiry to the appropriate BCSC division or outside agency.

Generally, investors will have documentation leading up to the issue. This could include, but is not excluded to, transaction records, email messages, investment statements, or advertising materials.

We assess every complaint or tip regardless of how much information is available during the initial inquiry. The nature of your inquiry will determine the best course of action.

What the BCSC Can and Cannot Do

The BCSC has a wide range of authority to disrupt, stop, and prevent unscrupulous market behavior.

Depending on the inquiry, the BCSC can:

  • Act against market misconduct, including imposing sanctions or penalties
  • Enforce compliance with securities legislation
  • In some cases, order respondents to pay back money to investors
  • Answer general questions about investment products or services
  • Tell you if a firm or individual is registered in BC
  • Tell you if a firm or individual has been disciplined by the BCSC or other regulator
  • Suggest options to help you pursue a complaint

The BCSC cannot force someone to give your money back, undo a transaction, or provide investment or legal advice.

The File a Complaint page shares what the BCSC can and cannot do, depending on the inquiry.

How BCSC Contact Centre Helps Investors

The BCSC Contact Centre team helps investors with questions about advisors or investments. Email [email protected] or call 1-800-373-6393 if you need to speak with someone about a securities-related issue.

The Inquiries team can help you:

  • Run an Advisor Check to see if an investment advisor is registered
  • Register a complaint about a company or individual in the BCSC’s jurisdiction
  • Identify the self-regulatory organization responsible for overseeing an investment firm
  • Understand cease trade orders and other administrative sanctions imposed by the BCSC
  • Determine if old stock certificates have value
  • Research a public or private company

Inquiries is available to receive calls or emails from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday to Friday.

If you have any concerns about a person or company offering an investment opportunity, please contact BCSC Contact Centre at 604-899-6854 or 1-800-373-6393 or through e-mail at [email protected]. You can also file a complaint or submit a tip anonymously using the BCSC’s online complaint form.

InvestRight.org is the BC Securities Commission’s investor education website.

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Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are the same thing.