The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy is issuing this Investor Alert to help law enforcement professionals and others identify if an older investor has been a victim of investment fraud, and to explain how to report it to appropriate authorities.

First, identify whether there may be investment fraud.

Here are some tell-tale signs:

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) are jointly issuing this Investor Alert to make investors aware of the increase of investment frauds involving the purported use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. Individual investors should know that bad actors are using the growing popularity and complexity of AI to lure victims into scams.

Service members or dependents may receive one-time lump sum payments for injuries, loss of life, insurance, or lawsuit proceeds. These payments can replace lost future income, so it’s important to take steps to ensure they provide a long-term benefit for your family, such as by reducing debt or bolstering savings and investments.

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (OIEA) urges investors to be on the lookout for scams related to the recent Hawaii wildfires.

Bad actors may use natural disasters, including the recent Hawaii wildfires, to lure victims into investment scams.  These frauds may directly target individuals receiving money from insurance companies or other sources.  They can take many forms.

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance (OIEA) is providing tips for investors in the Thrift Savings Plan to help protect against fraud.

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy warns investors that websites promoting High-Yield Investment Programs are likely scams.

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy is issuing this Investor Alert to provide investors with important steps to take regarding their investment accounts if they become victims of identity theft or a data breach.

For World Investor Week 2022, investors, investment professionals, teachers, parents, researchers, and others are encouraged to make a special effort to promote investor resilience and sustainable finance.