Español Search Query ABOUT SIPC CASES & CLAIMS FOR INVESTORS FOR MEMBER FIRMS NEWS & MEDIA CONTACT US LIST OF MEMBERS Fraud Alerts Fraudulent “SIPC” E-Mails SIPC members and others have occasionally been the recipients of e-mails pretending to be from SIPC. These e-mails may inform recipients that SIPC has attempted to contact them several times by e-mail and advise that an urgent response is required. Other e-mails claim that “following regulatory requirements, SIPC has released new information to its members” and ask recipients to respond to queries or requests for information contained in an attachment. The e-mails often contain fake addresses and telephone numbers that are not SIPC’s. The e-mails are not from SIPC and are a hoax. Avoid clicking links, downloading attachments, or replying to the e-mails. For more information, please contact SIPC at 202-371-8300 or asksipc@sipc.org. Please note that SIPC’s website address is www.sipc.org and that only e-mails sent from a sender at “@sipc.org” are legitimate. Customer Protection Entity SIPC staff are aware of a number of financial scams in which fraudsters claim to be a customer protection entity in order to trick victims, including non-U.S. investors, into giving the fraudsters access to brokerage accounts and personally identifiable information, and into sending money and other financial assets. Impersonation of legitimate companies is one of several characteristic features of advance fee fraud solicitations and other fraudulent schemes. Even where the fraudsters do not request that funds be sent directly to them, they may use the personal information they obtain to steal the individual’s identity and then misappropriate his or her financial assets. Some fraudsters have claimed to be customer protection entities and have created realistic looking websites to reinforce their claims of legitimacy. Misuse of SIPC’s Name There are also instances where fraudsters, posing as legitimate broker-dealers or as representatives of SIPC, ask for money to facilitate the return of a victim's cash of securities. Customers will never be asked by SIPC to pay any amount to assist in the recovery process in a liquidation proceeding or to process customer claims. False Claims of SIPC Membership SIPC staff are also aware of financial scams in which fraudsters claim to be SIPC member broker-dealers. To find out if your brokerage firm is a SIPC member, check SIPC’s List of Members or Contact Us. There is no SIPC protection available for customers of non-SIPC member broker-dealers. Beware of scams involving bogus SIPC membership lists. SIPC forced the shut-down of a fake website which included SIPC’s list of members to which the name of a scam brokerage had been added. If you are aware of or have been contacted by someone falsely claiming to be a SIPC member, please contact us. If you believe you have been the victim of an online fraud you can report it to the F.B.I.’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. The news releases below describe specific instances of scams involving the misuse of SIPC’s name, including the types of fraud described on this page. Tuesday, October 09, 2018 Beware of Scam Involving the Misuse of SIPC's Name Wednesday, February 01, 2017 Beware of Scam Involving the Misuse of SIPC's Name Wednesday, November 05, 2014 Beware of "Phishing" Scams Run Through Look-Alike Web Sites Imitating SIPC Advance-Fee Payment Requirement is a Big Tip-Off: Victims, Potential Investors Warned Not to Share Personal Data on Phony "Look-Alike" Web Sites. Friday, June 17, 2011 SIPC Issues Warning On "Phishing" Scam Targeting Investment Scam Victims Victims and Potential Investors in Scams Targeted by Phony "SIPC Agents" Monday, August 23, 2010 Update: Warning Re-Issued On Bogus "SIPC Checks" Targeting U.S. Consumers And Job Seekers Phony Checks Now Showing Up in Connection With Jobs Advertised on Craigslist Tuesday, March 09, 2010 SIPC Exposes Phony "Look-Alike" Web Site Targeting Madoff Victims Victims, Other Investors Cautioned Against Providing Information Via Web Site; Bogus Claims Made About Recovering "$1.3 Billion Discovered in Madoff Hideout" Monday, July 21, 2008 SIPC Warns Investors of New Identify Theft "Phishing" Scheme Involving Phony Request for Confidential Financial Information Home About SIPC Cases & Claims For Investors For Member Firms News & Media Contact Us List of Members Search Español Disclaimer Privacy Policy Site Map Get In Touch Securities Investor Protection Corporation 1667 K St. N.W., Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20006-1620 Telephone: (202) 371-8300 Fax: (202) 223-1679 Email: asksipc@sipc.org