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Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
William Francis Galvin

Securities

Investor Education: Programs and Resources

Download the brochure (PDF)

Resources

The pages below are also available as printed brochures. Contact us at securities@sec.state.ma.us if you’d like to request a paper copy.

What You Need to Know Series

  • Marijuana-Related Investments and Fraud
    Retail sales of marijuana from licensed dealers became legal in Massachusetts in 2018. Fraudsters often exploit “hot” industries to grab the attention of investors. Learn the risks before investing in any marijuana-related business.
  • Pyramid Schemes Disguised as Multi-Level Marketing Businesses (MLMs)
    Pyramid schemes are fraudulent businesses where participants are paid to recruit others. They’re disguised as multi-level marketing businesses, or MLMs. Learn about these schemes before investing in any MLM business.
  • Protecting Your Money while Crowdfunding Equity
    Equity crowdfunding allows entrepreneurs to raise up to $1 million in any 12-month period, through the offer and sale of ownership interests in their businesses. Learn how equity crowdfunding works, and how to protect your investment.
  • How to Get Free Credit Reports
    The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. Learn how to request your report.
  • Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
    Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses your personal information, such as your Social Security number, driver’s license, credit cards, or ATM card for fraudulent activity. Learn about the possibility of identity theft and how to avoid becoming a victim.
  • Financing Education
    Saving for a college education is a long-term investment. Federal and state lawmakers have set up qualified tuition programs, known as 529 plans, to make it easier to plan for higher education expenses. There is no one savings plan that suits everyone’s needs, so you should know your options before you invest.
  • Investing in Mutual Funds
    There are no guarantees, no bail-outs and no insurance “safety nets” to protect you against losses in the mutual funds and stocks now being sold at an increasing number of U.S. financial institutions. Learn how to protect your money.
  • Robo-Advisers
    There are pros and cons to utilizing a robo-adviser. For investors, it is important to know how your funds are invested, and who, or what, is ultimately responsible for deciding where investments are placed.

Protect Your Finances Series

  • Ponzi Schemes in the 21st Century
    Ponzi schemes aren’t difficult to detect if you know the warning signs. A few simple actions can help investors avoid the potentially devastating impact of a classic Ponzi scheme.
  • The Promises and Problems of Promissory Notes
    Promissory notes can be a good investment, with a reasonable reward for those who are willing to accept the risk. However, promissory notes that are marketed broadly to the general public often turn out to be scams.
  • Combatting Military Financial Fraud
    In many cases, criminals offering scams have targeted service members to take their hard-earned dollars. These scams often create financial difficulties, including credit problems, as well as a negative impact on troop morale and readiness.

Tips for Senior Investors Series

  • Take Charge of Your Money
    If you’re a senior investor, you don’t want to leave the fate of your retirement nest egg to chance. You’ve spent your life building up that savings. Here’s how you can secure it for the rest of your retirement.
  • How to Avoid Investment Fraud and Abuse
    Investment con artists frequently target senior investors, cheating them out of savings, insurance proceeds, and even real estate equity. Use these warning signs, provided by the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (NASAA), to protect yourself and your investments.
  • How to Avoid the "Grandparent Scam"
    Grandparent scams prey on senior investors by taking advantage of their love and concern for their grandchildren. Scammers typically pose as a grandchild (or other close relative) and use the false identity to ask for money.