Avoid Fraud & Scams (2024)

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Many individuals contact the Office of the Ombuds about fraudulent schemes. Some of the schemes are imposter scams that involve people fraudulently pretending to be FINRA staff in order to obtain account or other sensitive information. Others are advance fee schemes: investors are told they must pay a fee in advance to redeem their funds, but they never receive the promised funds. Unfortunately, many investors are subject to investment fraud, identity theft, and other scams. Please keep in mind that FINRA is a government-authorized not-for-profit organization that oversees the U.S. brokerage industry and would never ask investors for money.

Here are some resources that address investor fraud and scams.

Fraud Alert February 2023

There is an ongoing phishing campaign that involves fraudulent emails claiming to be from FINRA, using domain names “@finra.eu” and “@finrarec.com”. Those domains are not connected to FINRA. Learn more: Cybersecurity Alert.

Fraud Alert November 2022

If you receive an unsolicited email request from FINRA for account information, you can validate the request by contacting FINRA at [emailprotected]. FINRA will never ask investors for payment. If you receive communication from a “Sthepanie Roberts” in FINRA’s Office of the Ombuds, this is a fraudulent email. For additional information, please visit Don’t Fall for “Regulator” Imposter Ploys.

Keep up to date with investor information about scams provided by FINRA, SEC, NASAA, FTC, and other regulators.

Before providing sensitive information or money, use BrokerCheck® to check if the person or firm is registered to sell securities or offer investment advice.

Protect Your Money provides additional resources for avoiding fraud and scams.

Avoid Fraud & Scams (2024)

FAQs

Avoid Fraud & Scams? ›

Be cautious of calls or emails that request sensitive information. Never give out confidential information unless you know it's a trusted and verified source. By using fraudulent messages that appear to come from trustworthy sources, a scammer could try to obtain information to exploit your business.

How would you avoid frauds and scams? ›

Be cautious of calls or emails that request sensitive information. Never give out confidential information unless you know it's a trusted and verified source. By using fraudulent messages that appear to come from trustworthy sources, a scammer could try to obtain information to exploit your business.

How can you protect yourself from fraud and scams? ›

Here are some ways to protect yourself:
  • Keep your Social Security number safe. ...
  • Shred financial statements and other documents. ...
  • Be on guard on the internet. ...
  • Use strong passwords. ...
  • Store your personal information in a secure location. ...
  • Monitor your bank statements and credit reports.

What is the golden rule of avoiding scams? ›

Only give your details to someone you trust. Choose hard-to-crack passwords and regularly change them. Be extra careful with your credit card details: never give out your PIN and always check your bank statements. without opening them.

Should I answer potential fraud? ›

You should avoid answering or interacting with any unsolicited phone calls you are receiving. It is most likely a scam call trying to trick you into giving up your personal information. By avoiding answering spam calls, you can reduce the number of spam calls that you receive.

How do you avoid the frauds in transaction? ›

Businesses can prevent payment fraud by using secure payment systems, implementing advanced technology, tools and solutions, implementing strong authentication measures, monitoring transactions regularly, training employees to spot suspicious activity, conducting background checks on employees, verifying transactions ...

What are 3 excuses a scammer uses? ›

Common Red flags

Refusal to meet in person: Scammers will make excuses to avoid video calls or in-person meetings. They often cite work or travel commitments, or family emergencies.

How can seniors avoid scams? ›

Here are a few steps you can take to help protect yourself and your loved ones from scams: Don't give out sensitive personal information over the phone or in response to an email, social media post, or text message.

Which is the most common way frauds are identified? ›

One of the most successful ways to identify fraud in businesses is to use an anonymous tip line (or website or hotline). According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACF), tips are by far the most prevalent technique of first fraud detection (40 percent of instances).

How do people fall for scams so easily? ›

By creating a sense of urgency, fear, or excitement, scammers impair rational thinking and compel individuals to make impulsive decisions. Heightened emotions make it difficult for victims to evaluate the situation objectively, leading to unfortunate outcomes.

How do you outsmart a money scammer? ›

  1. Do not make any decisions in the moment. ...
  2. Hang up if you are feeling pressured. ...
  3. Do not share any personal or financial information (your social security number, checking account information, etc.). ...
  4. Ask for their name and the name of the business/organization. ...
  5. Ask for additional information to be mailed to you.

How to stop fraud spam calls? ›

On your device, open the Phone app . Spam and Call Screen. Turn See caller & spam ID on or off. Optional: To block spam calls on your phone, turn on "Filter spam calls." You don't get missed call or voicemail notifications, but filtered calls are in your call history, and you can check your voicemail.

What to say to a scammer? ›

Never give out personal information. Refrain from sharing any data. Even telling a scammer where you live or disclosing your email address can help them find other pieces of your identity on social media or from lists on the Dark Web. Ask for a reference number and tell them you'll call them back.

How do I stop getting scams likely? ›

If you get a scam likely message or a similar warning like “suspected spam” or “spam risk” on your caller ID during an incoming call, don't answer it. Even better, block the caller. Several major carriers like Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless offer scam block services for free or for a small monthly fee.

How do you stop someone from being scammed? ›

Find out exactly what personal information has been revealed. Block the scammer's email address or 'unfriend' them from any social media sites or apps. Consider changing your family member's email address and phone number, especially if contact from the scammer continues.

How do you overcome scams? ›

Scammed? Take action
  1. Stop all contact with the scammer. Once you realise you are being scammed, do not continue the conversation. ...
  2. Do not make any more payments. Some scammers target people caught in recent scams. ...
  3. Contact the bank or service you sent money through. ...
  4. Report it.

How can you prevent scamming as a consumer? ›

Take these tips with you to become a smarter consumer and avoid fraud:
  1. Know who you're dealing with. ...
  2. Pay the safest way. ...
  3. Guard your personal information. ...
  4. Stay safe online. ...
  5. Be cautious about unsolicited emails. ...
  6. Resist pressure. ...
  7. Don't believe promises of easy money. ...
  8. Fully understand the offer.
Jun 3, 2024

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