It’s Awards Season; And, the Winners Are…

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By Lori Schock, Director of the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy

 

It’s awards season, so it’s a great time to highlight the “best of” investing tips to help you to take control of your financial future. And, the winners are…

Best in a Leading AND Supporting Role

Investor.gov is the overwhelming winner in both categories! On Investor.gov, you’ll find all kinds of information to help you get started on creating a saving and investing plan that works best for you. For example: you’ll find financial planning tools and calculators; information about investment products, how to invest for your goals and how fees can impact your investment portfolio; and information on  initial coin offerings (ICOs) and other digital assets. Most importantly, you can use the search tool on Investor.gov  to check an investment professional’s background, registration status and more. It’s a great first step toward protecting your money.

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

The Office of Investor Education and Advocacy’s (OIEA) investor alerts and bulletins are the winners in this category. Investor alerts warn investors about recent frauds and scams. Investor bulletins focus on topical issues. Actually, you’re the real winner in this category because by reading our investor bulletins and alerts, you’ll be a more informed investor. An informed investor is an empowered investor!

Best Directing

If I say so myself, our Director’s Take articles are the big winners in this category. The articles provide tips and information on investment topics that are important to you. They cover a broad range of topics, including: understanding investment fees; what to consider when buying digital assets; and things to consider when choosing a financial professional. There are also a number of articles geared toward helping military service members plan for their financial future.

Best Short Film (Animated)

There’s a three-way tie in this category!  OIEA and the SEC’s Retail Strategy Task Force created a series of three short animated videos with tips on how you can be your own first line of defense against investment fraud.

Our “Be Aware Before You Share” video shows how to safeguard your personal contact information from bogus investment pitches by fraudsters who will use your personal information to target you.

The “Too-Good-To-Be-True Circus” video provides information about the common tactics scam artists use to steal your hard earned money.  They may try to get you to fall for fake testimonials, promise exclusive investment offers, and pressure you to act right now.

Our “Without a Trace” video reminds you to be skeptical about paying for investment opportunities by credit card, or wiring money abroad or to a personal account. If the investment opportunity turns out to be a scam, you may never see your money again.  

Each video reminds you that before signing up for any investment opportunity, it’s important to protect yourself, do your research and invest wisely.

Best Short Film (Live Action)

Our public service campaign is the big “live action” winner when it comes to getting answers to your questions about investing. The video is designed to empower you to take control of your financial future by encouraging you to go to Investor.gov to get information on a variety of topics, including: planning for retirement; understanding the power of compound interest; target date funds; 529 plans; and initial public offerings (IPOs).

Best (Financial) Picture

You! By using the free tools and resources on Investor.gov before you invest and taking control of your financial future, you’ll be the big winner in all of these categories, as well as for the “best financial picture.” Get your acceptance speech ready!

 


The Securities and Exchange Commission disclaims responsibility for any private publication or statement of any SEC employee or Commissioner. This article expresses the author’s views and does not necessarily reflect those of the Commission, the Commissioners, or other members of the staff.