Investor Alert: 

SEC Warns of Government Impersonators 

somebody claiming to be from the SEC (or another government 

agency), always verify the person’s identity. Use the SEC’s 

personnel locator, (202) 551-6000, to verify whether the caller is 

an SEC staff member and to speak with him or her directly. You 

also can ask whether the person calling you is employed by the 

SEC and request to speak with the staff member’s supervisor if 

there is such an employee. In addition, you can call the SEC at 

(800) SEC-0330 for general information. Our online Question 

Form is another way you can ask us about a solicitation.

If you have been contacted by somebody misrepresenting himself 

as an SEC staff member, please let us know by either calling us or 

submitting a Complaint Form. You may also report the incident 

to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at www.ic3.gov.

It’s not hard to figure out who the real regulators are and how 

you can contact them. You’ll find a list of international securities 

regulators on the website of the International Organization 

of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and a directory of state 

and provincial regulators in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. on 

the website of the North American Securities Administrators 

Association (NASAA). If somebody encourages you to verify 

information about a deal with an entity that doesn't appear on 

these lists, you should be wary.

For additional tips on investing wisely and avoiding fraud, 

please visit the following web pages on the SEC’s website 

and Investor.gov:

Advance Fee Fraud Schemes

PAUSE List of Fictitious Governmental Agencies and 

International Organizations Associated with Soliciting Entities

Investor Alert: Investors Beware of Government Impersonators 

(October 2010)

Investor Alert: SEC Warns of Government Impersonators (April 

SEC staff is issuing this updated Investor Alert because they 

have seen a recent surge of complaints about a scheme where 

fraudsters posing as SEC employees call potential victims on 

the telephone and purport to offer them a large sum of money 

(in some cases, the amount of $450,000 is used) in return 

for depositing a smaller amount (for example, $1,500) into a 

specified account. Some of these solicitations may use the name 

of a legitimate company and refer prospective investors to an 

operating website. These solicitations, whether made by telephone, 

email, or other method, are fraudulent.

The SEC does not endorse investment offers, assist in the 

purchase or sale of securities, or participate in money transfers. 

Nor is the SEC affiliated with any sweepstakes, drawings, 

lotteries, or other types of events that feature prizes or winnings 

or cash windfalls.

SEC staff will not, for example, contact individuals by telephone 

or email for purposes of:

•	 seeking assistance with a fund transfer;

•	 forwarding investment offers to them;

•	 advising individuals that they own certain securities;

•	 telling investors that they are eligible to receive 

disbursements from an investor claims fund or class 

action settlement; or

•	 offering grants or other financial assistance 

(especially for an upfront fee).

SEC staff do not make these types of unsolicited 

communications, including emails or telephone calls, asking for 

detailed personal and financial information, such as shareholdings 

and PIN numbers. If you receive a telephone call or email from 

Investor Assistance (800) 732-0330 www.investor.gov

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2010)

Worthless Stock: How to Avoid Doubling Your Losses

Fake Seals and Phony Numbers: How Fraudsters Try to Look 

Legit

FTC Identity Theft Site

Online Scams that Impersonate the IRS

IRS Urges Caution about Internet Sites that Resemble the 

Official IRS Site

The Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has 

provided this information as a service to investors. It 

is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of 

SEC policy. If you have questions concerning the 

meaning or application of a particular law or rule, 

please consult with an attorney who specializes in 

securities law.

Investor Assistance (800) 732-0330 February 2012

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