U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

SEC Impersonators May Lure Investors Into Scams Through Social Media or Text Messages -- Investor Alert

Sept. 30, 2025

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) warns that fraudsters may impersonate the SEC -- or SEC officials or employees -- on social media or in text messages to solicit you for scams. These scams include stock tips, advance fee fraud, and pretending to help you get your money back. Fraudsters may also use personal information they obtain to steal your identity or misappropriate your financial assets.

SEC impersonators may make posts or send messages that include the SEC’s seal, a link to the SEC’s actual website, or the name or photo of an actual SEC official. Here are two real-life examples:

  1. This is a social media post with false information including a profile that impersonates SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce:False Profile

     

  2. This is an unsolicited text message that falsely claims to be from the SEC (be aware that the SEC does not recommend groups officially or unofficially!):Fake Post

     

When engaging with the SEC on social media, use our verified accounts – a list is available at https://www.sec.gov/opa/socialmedia.

If you are unsure whether information posted on social media or a communication you receive is affiliated with the SEC, call us at (800) 732-0330 or email us at Help@SEC.gov.

If you receive a communication that falsely appears to be from the SEC, submit an Investor Complaint Form to the SEC.

If you have lost money in a scheme involving SEC impersonation, submit a complaint at www.sec.gov/oig to the SEC’s Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) or call the OIG’s toll-free hotline at (833) SEC-OIG1 (732-6441).

To learn more about fraudsters who impersonate government agencies or employees, or legitimate investment professionals, visit our Impersonation Schemes webpage.

If you learn of investing opportunities from social media, be on the lookout for fraud. Report possible securities fraud to the SEC.

Additional Resources

Common Scams | Investor.gov

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Fraudsters Target US Stock Investors through Investment Clubs Accessed on Social Media and Messaging Applications

Ask a question or report a problem concerning your investments, your investment account or a financial professional.

Visit Investor.gov, the SEC’s website for individual investors.

SEC OIG Impersonation Scam Alert

Receive Investor Alerts and Bulletins from OIEA by email or RSS feed.

This Investor Alert represents the views of the staff of the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy. It is not a rule, regulation, or statement of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”). The Commission has neither approved nor disapproved its content. This Alert, like all staff statements, has no legal force or effect: it does not alter or amend applicable law, and it creates no new or additional obligations for any person.

Featured Content

Return to Top