Before you invest, ask and check. - SaveAndInvest.org

Before you
invest,
ask and check.

Protect Yourself from Investment Fraud
Fraudsters tend to go “where the money is” —
and that means targeting older Americans who
have been accumulating sizable retirement nest
eggs. But there are simple steps every investor
can take to protect themselves before making any
investment decision:
1. End the conversation: Practice saying, “No.”
Simply say, “I am sorry, I am not interested. Thank
you. Goodbye.” And then hang up or walk away.
Knowing your exit strategy in advance makes it
easier to leave the conversation, even if the pressure
starts rising.
2. Turn the tables — Ask and Check: Before
you give out information about yourself or sign on
the dotted line, ask “Are you a licensed broker
Is that investment registered” Then check out
both the seller and the investment using resources
at SaveAndInvest.org.
3. Talk to someone first: Even if the seller
is licensed and the investment is registered,
it’s always a good idea to discuss these sorts
of decisions with family or a trusted financial
professional who has no connection to the offer.
The Investor Protection Campaign for
Older Investors was developed by the FINRA
Investor Education Foundation, in collaboration
with AARP, Washington State Department of
Financial Institutions and noted experts in the fields
of fraud and persuasion. For more information,
please visit SaveAndInvest.org or call toll-free
(888) 295-7422.