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About FINRA Investor Education Foundation

FINRA is an independent, not-for-profit regulator authorized by Congress to oversee the broker-dealer industry. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation develops and distributes tools and resources to help investors make informed financial decisions and avoid financial fraud. One such tool is FINRA BrokerCheck, a free tool to research the background and experience of investment professionals. FINRA and the FINRA Foundation do not sell investment products, promote products or firms, or offer specific investment advice.

FINRA Investor Education Foundation's Articles

Sponsored Content - FINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. Under the oversight of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA regulates one critical part of the securities industry—brokerage firms doing business with the public in the US.
(Sponsored Content) FINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. Under the oversight of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA regulates one critical part of the securities industry—brokerage firms doing business with the public in the US.
Sponsored Content - While tactics may have changed, “boiler room” operations are still used to pitch dubious investment schemes, says Christine Kieffer of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.
Sponsored Content - Cybercriminals may lurk in the background, devising plans to steal personal financial information, but you can play an important role in safeguarding your information, says Christine Kieffer of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

FINRA Investor Education Foundation's Videos

Fraudsters—who spend their “careers” developing schemes to defraud victims—are continually creating new, innovative scams. Join Christine Kieffer and Robert Mascio to explore emerging threats to investors, the psychology of scams, the sophisticated techniques used by salespeople (both honest and otherwise), and simple steps to help you invest wisely and avoid costly mistakes. 

What questions should you ask about investment products and professionals? What are the red flags of fraud? And where can you turn if you have a problem? Join us for a discussion of emerging investment trends, strategies for spotting and avoiding fraud, and tools offered by financial regulators to help you become a smarter, more informed investor.
What questions should you ask about investment products and professionals? What are the red flags of fraud? And where can you turn if you have a problem? Join us for a discussion of emerging investment trends, strategies for spotting and avoiding fraud, and tools offered by financial regulators to help you become a smarter, more informed investor.
What questions should you ask about investment products and professionals? What are the red flags of fraud? And where can you turn if you have a problem? Join us for a discussion of emerging investment trends, strategies for spotting and avoiding fraud, and tools offered by financial regulators to help you become a smarter, more informed investor.


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Use FINRA Investor Insights, articles, BrokerCheck, and other resources to build knowledge and avoid problems such as the latest frauds, which all too often are perpetrated by people outside FINRA's jurisdiction.
The truth is, we all need to protect our money from fraud. You can help protect your family and friends by recognizing how investment fraudsters operate and by reporting suspicious sales pitches and actual scams.
If you are thinking about contacting an investment professional, or one has recently contacted you, know the steps to take and the questions to ask before you invest.
 
It can be difficult to recover assets lost to fraud or other scenarios in which an investor has experienced a problem with an investment, but there are legitimate ways to attempt recovery.
Are you a senior investor with questions about your brokerage account statement or an investment in a brokerage account?  Are you concerned that your account may have been mishandled by a broker? Call 844-57-HELPS (844-574-3577).
 
A POA can be important—even essential—to managing your financial affairs in the event you unexpectedly become unable to  manage things on your own. Here’s what you need to know.
Digital assets like cryptocurrencies and ICOs continue to evolve and spark interest from Main Street investors, but the markets remain highly volatile and risky. Before investing, do your homework.
Investors sometimes use margin to leverage their investments and increase their purchasing power, but these benefits can come with significant risks including the potential for higher losses.
A private placement is an offering of unregistered securities to a limited pool of investors. While the market for private placements is significant, it’s critical for investors to know the risks before investing. 
Corporate actions by a public company may affect its securities, shareholders, and bondholders. If you are curious about how an action may impact your investments, here’s what you need to know.
Fraudsters quickly change their pitches to match what investors seek, and in some instances, misuse the name of a real registered investment professional or firm to give their schemes the appearance of legitimacy.