Who We Are
FINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) supports innovative research and educational projects that give underserved Americans the knowledge, skills, and tools to make sound financial decisions throughout life. FINRA and the FINRA Foundation do not sell investment products, promote products or firms, or offer specific investment advice.
The FINRA Foundation ’s Investor Protection Campaign is a targeted, research-based effort to reduce the incidence of investment fraud among investors by teaching the tactics most commonly used by fraudsters and the simple steps every investor can take to reduce their risk. To learn more about the work of the FINRA Foundation, visit FINRAFoundation.org.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has reviewed this publication. The SEC does not endorse any particular investment product, service, profession, professional or brokerage firm.
The Face of Investment Fraud
Even if you have never been subjected to an investment fraudster’s sales pitch, you probably know someone who has.
Research has shattered the stereotypes of investment fraud victims as isolated, frail, and gullible. Do you know anyone who meets the following description?
- Self-reliant when it comes to making decisions
- Optimistic
- Above-average financial knowledge
- Above-average income
- College-educated
- Open to listening to new ideas or sales pitches
If so, then you know someone who fits the profile of an investment fraudster’s prime target. The truth is, we’re all at risk. But you can help protect your family and friends by recognizing how investment fraudsters operate and by reporting suspicious sales pitches and actual scams.