Promissory notes, Ponzi schemes top investor threats for 2020, says NASAA

Promissory notes, Ponzi schemes top investor threats for 2020, says NASAA
State regulators also see trouble in real estate, cryptocurrencies and social media investments
DEC 24, 2019

Promissory notes and Ponzi schemes are the leading products or schemes that are likely to trap investors in 2020, according to the North American Securities Administrators Association. 

Filling out the top five likely investor traps are real estate investments, cryptocurrency-related investments and social media/Internet-based investment schemes, NASAA said in a release. 

The organization of state and provincial securities regulators in the United States, Canada and Mexico, said its top-five list is based on investor complaints, ongoing investigations and current enforcement trends.  

The most common telltale sign of an investment scam, said Christopher W. Gerold, NASAA president and chief of the New Jersey Bureau of Securities, is an offer of guaranteed high returns with no risk, who noted that many of the threats facing investors involve private offerings, which are exempt from federal securities registration requirements and are not sold through public stock exchanges.  

Latest News

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker
Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker

Professional athletes are often targets of scam artists and are particularly vulnerable to fraud.

Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day
Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day

The brokerage giant tells Wall Street it will use artificial intelligence to reach clients it has never been able to serve — and turn the technology's perceived threat into a competitive edge.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline