Investment Scams

The typical investment scams claim you will be able to make a lot of money quickly, with little to no risk, and minimal effort on your part. Investment scammers will claim to be experts in their field and may even offer seminars to teach exclusive tips and tricks for investing.

In reality, successful investments are never a guarantee. Be cautious of any person or company who claims over-the-top profits or wants you to invest in unproven markets. Scam investments can come in the form of cryptocurrency, precious metals, real estate, and more.

Remember:

- Scammers often have detailed websites, applications, advertisements and financial statements, along with glowing customer testimonials. All of these things can be easily fabricated to paint a picture of success.

- Scammers use high-pressure sales tactics. A legitimate investor will not pressure you into making an investment before doing your research.

- Be on the lookout for buzzwords, like "guaranteed", "proven", "patented", and "risk-free". Real investments have no guarantees and will always carry risk.

- Scammers may claim unrealistic outcomes, like earning enough money to quit your job, retire early, or beat the stock market.

Protect yourself and your finances by taking the time to do your research before making any investment decisions.

For more information, visit http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/investment-scams