Investing Unit 11: Investment Fraud

• Introduction
• Unit 1: Basic Building Blocks of Successful Financial Management
• Unit 2: Investing Basics
• Unit 3: Finding Money to Invest
• Unit 4: Ownership Investments
• Unit 5: Fixed-Income Investing
• Unit 6: Mutual Fund Investing
• Unit 7: Tax-Deferred Investments
• Unit 8: Investing Small Dollar Amounts
• Unit 9: Getting Help: Investing Resources
• Unit 10: Selecting Financial Professionals
• Unit 11: Investment Fraud

• Where the Frauds Are
• Types of Investment Fraud
• Avoid Investment Fraud
• Get Information About Companies
• Run into Trouble?
• Selected Resources

• Action Steps
• About the Author

• Study Guide
• Action Steps
• Monthly Investment Messages
• Glossary

Information is an investor’s best tool when it comes to investing wisely and avoiding fraud. And the best way to gather information is to ask questions— about both the investment and the person or firm selling it. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or have been investing for many years, it’s never too early or too late to start asking questions.

Too many investors who’ve suffered losses at the hands of swindlers could have avoided trouble if they had only asked basic questions from the start. One simple phone call—to your state securities regulator or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)—can often make the difference between investing in a legitimate business or squandering your money on a scam.

This unit will help you recognize and avoid different types of investment fraud. You’ll also learn what questions to ask before investing, where to get information about companies, who to call for help, and what to do if you run into trouble.