The Alert Investor
Resolutions for Safe Investing

Criminals are hoping you'll open not just your heart but also your wallet during this holiday season.  So how can you protect yourself from getting frosted by financial fraud this year?

More today in the Alert Investor…brought to you by NASAA…the voice of state and provincial securities regulators.

While you're ringing in *this* New Year, don't lose your holiday cheer to con artists out to steal your hard earned money.

Yes, it is that time of year…we make resolutions and begin anew… but this year why not make resolutions for safe investing?  Your financial future could depend on it…

[NASAA President Karen Tyler]
The holiday season is a time of generosity and goodwill.  Unfortunately the season tends to bring financial predators out of the woodwork.  While investment fraud doesn't take a holiday, avoid making hasty financial decisions during the holiday rush when criminals may prey on your charitable sensitivities. 

Regulators notice an uptick in criminal activity from Thanksgiving through New Years when swindlers step up their pitch to nab investors by phone, internet, or in person.

But you can defend yourself by resolving to take the following steps to protect yourself against financial fraud...

- Resolve to investigate before you invest.  The holiday season brings phony investment schemes and scams promoted by high pressure con artists seeking to fleece investors for all they're worth.  Take the time you need to understand what you're investing in.

- Resolve to make safe investing a family affair.  Fraudsters use the holiday season to prey on those who may be lonely, especially the elderly, who may be more willing to attend a "free meal seminar" where they're *not* fed with information but a hard sales pitch.  Take the time to check-in with your parents or family members and don't be shy about discussing personal finances.  Make fraud prevention a family affair.

- Resolve to check out your broker or investment adviser before investing.  It just takes one call to your state securities regulator to get a quick history on your broker or investment adviser, but that call will pay dividends with the knowledge you'll gain.

- Resolve to fight fraud.  Whether it's taking time to read your monthly statements and ask questions if you notice anything suspicious… make fraud detection part of your routine.  Be sure to call your state securities regulator if you've suspect you're a victim of investment fraud.

[NASAA President Karen Tyler]
This is a great time of year to do a financial check-up for the year ahead. Resolve to become a more informed investor by tapping the resources of your local state securities regulator.  Resolutions like these can help you stay ahead of the latest con and avoid losing your hard earned money.

For more tips on becoming an alert investor this New Year… check out our NASAA Fraud Center at N  A  S  A  A  dot  O R G.

NASAA…. Because every investor deserves protection.