AARP Joins Investor Fraud Protection Campaign

A new campaign aimed at protecting older citizens from investment fraud has been kicked off in North Carolina by SaveandInvest.org, a project of the Investor Education Foundation of FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) in cooperation with AARP and the Securities Division of the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State.

AARP members are being invited by mail to free investor education forums, entitled “Outsmarting Investor Fraud,” across North Carolina. The first event was held at NC State University’s McKimmon Center in Raleigh on September 21, and featured North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall as a keynote speaker. Additional large events will be held in Asheville on October 14 and Greensboro on November 3.

The forums are aimed at teaching investors the risk factors for investment fraud, educating them on the most common persuasive tactics and presenting the most powerful prevention strategies.

To register for one of the free “Outsmarting Investor Fraud” events, you may call (toll free) 866-862-0110. Online registration is also available at www.SaveandInvest.org/events/Asheville or www.SaveandInvest.org/events/Greensboro.

AARP North Carolina is also making the investor protection presentation available to smaller community groups through its Fraud Fighters Task Force, a group of volunteers trained to help prevent all types of consumer scams, including investment fraud.  

A  DVD of the “Outsmarting Investor Fraud” presentation and a brochure entitled “Fighting Fraud 101,” are also available. Both tools direct consumers to the website SaveAndInvest.org as an online resource for investors, particularly those of ages 55-plus.

The live presentations, DVD and brochure all offer a surprising profile of the typical victim of investment fraud, pointing out that many have a college education and above-average financial knowledge. They introduce common tactics used by investment fraudsters and provides key strategies for self protection, including the tactics of “Ending the Conversation,”  “Turning the Table and Asking Questions”  and “Talking to Someone First.”

The presentations, DVD and brochure also provide a list of resources for obtaining information before investing and for seeking help if you believe you have been defrauded or even treated unfairly in an investment situation.

To request an “Outsmarting Investor Fraud” presentation from an AARP volunteer  or a copy of the “Fighting Fraud 101” brochure,  email  nc@aarp.org or call (toll free) 1-866-389-5650.  To order a copy of the “Outsmarting Investor Fraud” DVD, visit www.SaveandInvest.org.

FINRA is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business with the U.S. public. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation is the largest foundation in the U.S. dedicated to investor education. The Foundation’s mission is to provide investors with high-quality, easily accessible information and tools to better understand the markets and the basic principles of saving and investing.