Invest Your Money Wisely: Tips for Consumers

• Be extremely cautious about unsolicited offers to invest.

• Don’t believe everything you’re told. Take the time to do your own research on the investment’s potential…and on the person making the offer.

• Be wary of an investment opportunity that offers unusually high yields.

• Check with federal and state securities regulators to find out if there have been any complaints against the company or person you’re thinking of doing business with.

• Request written financial information—such as a prospectus, annual reports, or financial statements—then compare the written information to what you were told.

• Check with a trusted financial adviser, broker, or attorney about any investments you are considering.

• And if you think you’ve been scammed, report it to the Securities and Exchange Commission, your state’s securities regulator, or a law enforcement agency.