FINRA Investor News

August 23, 2012

Updated Investor Alert: Public Non-Traded REITs—Perform a Careful Review Before Investing

Updated: Public Non-Traded REITs—Perform a Careful Review Before Investing FINRA has reissued this alert because of concern—reflected in a recent enforcement action—that some investors may be the recipients of misleading information regarding certain public non-traded REITS. Some investors may also receive recommendations to purchase these products without adequate investigation by the firm or individual broker to determine whether these or similar investments are suitable. Since this alert was first issued, FINRA has developed a tip sheet to help investors avoid pitfalls and misconceptions regarding public non-traded REITs.

Investor Resources: Monitor Your Financial Health

It's important to monitor financial ratios that can tell you if you have too much debt. Lenders use financial ratios to predict your ability to pay back a loan. Monitoring these ratios yourself will help you avoid surprises when you need a loan, and will enable you to spot the warning signs of debt before you get in over your head. Watch our brief tutorial to learn how.

Public Alert: Unregistered Soliciting Entities (PAUSE)

PAUSE is a resource from the Securities and Exchange Commission to help investors avoid online and boiler room scams. It lists information the SEC has received through complaints from investors and others—including foreign securities regulators—about securities solicitations made by entities that falsely claim to be registered in the U.S., use phony U.S. addresses or provide fake endorsements from fictitious government agencies or international organizations.