Do a Background Check

You should do a background check on anyone who claims they are registered to sell investments. You can complete a check in four simple steps.

Step 1 – Use the Canadian Securities Administrators’, or CSA’s, National Registration Search tool to check registration. A link is available at the end of this video.

Step 2 – Check to see if the individual, firm, or service you are considering has ever been disciplined for bad practices. You’ll be able to find a record of the violation and the discipline they received using the CSA’s Disciplined List.

Step 3 – Search the Internet. When doing a search, pay close attention to information about wrongdoing or bad practices of any kind in the results.

It’s important to note that finding results for the name you’re looking for is not a guarantee that you have found the person you’re checking. Combine the search result information with information returned from the other sources described in this video.

Step 4 – If you are considering working with an investment professional, conduct a formal interview to see if they are the right fit for you. If you plan to use an investment service, do your research and talk to the company before committing.

You can also contact BCSC Inquiries. They can help you conduct different searches or point you to investor education information over the phone.