Investor Alerts
MOST RECENT INVESTOR ALERTS
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September 19, 2018 |
August 16, 2018 |
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August 2, 2018 |
May 14, 2018 |
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May 17, 2016Investors who need cash—or who want to tap the value of their portfolios without selling their investments—might be tempted to apply for a "stock-based loan," pledging fully paid securities as collateral for the loan. FINRA is issuing this Alert to educate investors about non-recourse stock-based loan programs, including risks and rewards and key questions to ask.
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April 7, 2016FINRA is issuing this alert to provide basic information about RMDs, and to provide answers to a number of common RMD questions. We focus on RMDs from traditional IRAs because these are the type of retirement accounts where individuals are directly responsible for computing required minimum distributions.
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March 23, 2016It's never too early to consider how you want your financial affairs to be managed if something happens to you. One solution is to grant a power of attorney (POA) for your investment account assets to your spouse, sibling, adult child or close friend—someone you trust to act wisely and in your best interest.
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February 9, 2016Maybe you’ve seen ads promoting “High CD Yields!” that offer rates significantly higher than other bank products. The promotion certainly grabs your attention, and that’s what the promoters want. If you inquire about the certificate of deposit (CD), you may find yourself listening to a sales pitch and ultimately owning a very costly, potentially risky investment—something much different than a CD.
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January 14, 2016Your brokerage firm has an obligation to safeguard your personal financial information. And every investor should take time to understand their firm’s cybersecurity procedures. But even the best procedures cannot prevent all instances of identity theft—especially if the vulnerability lies with you, the customer. Here are critical steps you can take to safeguard your financial accounts and help prevent identity theft.
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December 21, 2015An increasing number of securities firms are marketing and offering securities-backed lines of credit, or SBLOCs, to investors. SBLOCs can be a key revenue source for securities firms, especially in times of solid market returns and growing investment portfolios, when investors may feel more comfortable leveraging their assets. Firms market SBLOCs as a type of financing and liquidity strategy that can unlock the value of your investment portfolio.
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November 5, 2015FINRA is publishing this Alert to warn investors not to send money or provide personal information associated with a widespread IRS impersonation scam timed to coincide with the October 15 deadline for anyone who filed a federal tax extension last April.
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October 19, 2015FINRA is issuing this alert to warn investors about scammers who contact investors with promises of significant cash, prizes and lottery winnings. With fraudulent schemes, there is always a catch: You have to agree to send money upfront to secure your new riches. Our advice: don’t do it.
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September 23, 2015FINRA is issuing this investor alert to help investors better understand smart beta products.
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September 2, 2015FINRA is issuing this Alert to warn investors to be wary of stock promotions sent through popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp that allow users to almost instantly exchange messages.
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July 10, 2015If you're like many investors, your portfolio contains bonds. When you purchased those investments, you may not have given much thought to whether you'd be able to sell them when you want to. FINRA is issuing this alert to educate investors about bond liquidity, and the potential for decreased liquidity and investment losses for those who sell their bonds before maturity at a time of market stress.
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June 17, 2015FINRA is issuing this alert to inform brokerage account holders, family members and other beneficiaries about the value of preparing for the inevitable, and the general process firms follow when an account holder passes away. We also provide tips for making the transfer process as efficient and trouble-free as possible for account holders and also for heirs and beneficiaries.
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May 29, 2015We are issuing this Alert to warn non-U.S. investors that scammers are using fraud—including setting up phony "regulator" websites and fake identities—to separate you from your money.
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May 8, 2015Automated investment tools may offer clear benefits—including low cost, ease of use, and broad access. But it is important to understand their risks and limitations before using them.
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April 30, 2015A range of programs and lawsuit settlements have resulted in new money coming into Indian Country. If you are a recipient or potential recipient of this new money, you may have questions about how to manage and invest the assets, and how to select and work with an investment professional. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and First Nations Development Institute teamed up to develop the following tips to help you confidently manage this new money, as well as avoid financial fraud.
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February 3, 2015Information technology (IT) plays a critical role in the securities industry. Unfortunately, cyber threats to the information and computer systems of brokerage firms are increasing, and with these threats comes the risk of potential harm to investors.
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December 23, 2014New technology such as electronic cigarettes, often called e-cigarettes, can give rise to legitimate investment opportunities. But sometimes it opens the door to fraud. FINRA is issuing this Alert to warn investors to be wary of aggressive promotions touting stocks that claim to capitalize on various aspects of the e-cigarette and vaporizer, or "vape," market.
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December 18, 2014Precious metals are notorious for price movements that can pique investor interest during upswings and downswings alike. If you are thinking that now is the time to invest in physical precious metals such as silver, gold or maybe palladium or platinum, be aware of the risks involved. They include the potential for high-pressure sales tactics and even fraud.
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October 30, 2014Some low-priced "penny" stocks that are aggressively promoted may in fact be stocks of dormant shell companies that are susceptible to pump-and-dump scams.
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September 12, 2014Investors frequently get invited to free seminars that promise to educate them about investing strategies or managing money in retirement—often with an expensive meal provided at no cost. But just because someone buys you breakfast, lunch or dinner doesn't mean you have to buy what they are saying—or selling.
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September 11, 2014
"Frontier funds" that invest in securities of companies in countries with developing securities markets—like Argentina, Lebanon, Nigeria, Slovenia and Vietnam—are gaining investor attention. Some see investing in frontier funds as a way to diversify assets—going beyond funds that invest in established international and other more developed emerging markets. Frontier funds are also sparking the interest of some investors who are lured predominantly by potential gains.
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August 14, 2014
Keep your portfolio quarantined from potential viral disease investment scams. If history is a guide, dramatic news coverage of viral outbreaks, including Zika, Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), will likely catch the interest of stock scammers looking to capitalize on fears of a potential pandemic. Don't fall for the hype.
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July 14, 2014FINRA is reissuing this alert on the heels of its disciplinary action related to the fraudulent sale of promissory notes to NFL and NBA players. The alert details the risks associated with promissory notes and the continued threat of promissory note schemes whose sole objective is to defraud investors.
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May 28, 2014Beware of promotions about certificates of deposit (CDs) promising interest rates that are substantially higher than current averages. FINRA has observed offers for “low-risk” products with outsized returns. Investors should be wary of unsolicited emails and calls that offer outsized interest from financial institutions, including banks and brokerage firms, particularly those with which you have not had a business relationship.
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May 24, 2014We are reissuing this alert to warn investors not only about the potential for fraud in this arena, but also to reiterate the risks of investing in thinly traded companies about which little is known.