Investor Education

The fight against investment fraud never stops because each year con artists discover new ways to take your money.

Whether you are old or young, rich or poor, investing for a long time or just beginning – it is never too late to become a more educated investor. Do not simply focus on the return. When all is said and done, you are ultimately responsible for your investment decisions. You work hard, and the future you are investing in is yours.

Remember, if an investment opportunity sounds too good too be true, it probably is.

Before You Invest
Check whether an investment, investment professional or firm is registered by calling DFI at 360-902-8700 or 1-877-RING DFI (746-4334).

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What's New

• Investor Education In Your Community ® - Request A Presentation
  Investor Education in Your Community ® is a unique investor education program that is saturating Washington’s communities, many currently underserved, with multiple days of investor education.
  
  DFI staff, accompanied by Consumer University founder Alicia Diefenbach, will work as a team to bring saturate Washington communities with multiple investor education workshops and presentations.
  
  About Investor Education In Your Community
  Request A Presentation
• DFI Reminds Investors Of Auction Rate Securities Buyback Offers
  DFI is reminding auction rate securities investors of their redemption opportunities, which were reached through settlements between securities regulators and multiple Wall Street firms. Learn more.
• How To Pick The Short Term Investment That Fits Your Needs
  Information about how to pick a short term investment that fits your needs. Learn more.
• Public Alert: Unregistered Soliciting Entities (PAUSE)
  The Securities and Exchange Commission is maintaining a list of unregistered soliciting entities that have been the subject of investor complaints. View unregistered soliciting entities.
• NASAA, SIPC Offer Answers To Investors Concerned About the Safety Of Their Brokerage Accounts
  In the wake of recent turbulence in the financial markets, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) today joined with the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which maintains a special reserve fund authorized by Congress to help investors at failed brokerage firms, to remind investors of the important and effective safeguards already in place to protect their brokerage account assets. Learn more.
• Selecting Brokerage and Investment Advisory Services That Meet Your Needs
  DFI has published an investor bulletin on how investors can improve their chances of selecting brokerage and investment advisory services that meet their needs. View bulletin (PDF)*.

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Free Brochures And Publications

• Kiplinger Investor Education Booklets
  7 investor education booklets available for free from DFI, in partnership with Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, the Investor Protection Trust and the American Library Association.

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Education And Information

• Where to Turn for Help with Your Investments
  Information you can use to find an investment services provider who is right for you.
• Rules Your Broker Must Follow
  Some major considerations to be aware of when reviewing the transactions you have with your investment professional.
• What You Should Know Before Investing in Mortgage Paper Securities
  Answers to frequently asked questions about investing in mortgage paper securities.
• How To Pick The Short Term Investment That Fits Your Needs
  Information about how to pick a short term investment that fits your needs.

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Avoiding Scams And Fraud

• Most Common Investment Traps
  The most common investment traps, as identified by members of the North American Securities Administrators Association and DFI.
• Beware of Investment Scams
  Learn what you should to do before you invest and how to avoid investment scams and frauds.
• How to Avoid Scams and Fraud
  10 self defense tips to help you avoid investment scams and frauds.
• Signs of Fraud
  Educate yourself and recognize the signs of investment fraud.
• Affinity Fraud
  Information about one of the most common types of investment fraud.

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Other Resources

• NASAA - Fraud Scene Investigator
  An online interactive investor education program developed by NASAA that teaches and empowers students how to detect and stop a million-dollar investment fraud.
• NASAA - Investor Bill Of Rights
  The Investor Bill of Rights lists your rights as an investor. Very helpful information if you currently invest or are considering an investment opportunity.
• NASAA - Senior Investor Resource Center
  The NASAA website provides tools seniors can use to protect themselves against investment fraud.
• NASAA Investor Education Podcasts
  NASAA is pleased to provide The Alert Investor, a series of , two-to-three minute, investor education podcasts.
• FINRA - Investor Information
  The FINRA website is filled with investor news, alerts, and education.
• Dollars From Sense
  Dollars from Sense, funded by FINRA, is a Web site dedicated to helping college students understand the basics of personal finance and investing.
• SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy
  SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy provides a variety of services to address the problems and questions you may face as an investor.
• The Investor's Clearinghouse
  Clearinghouse for materials from the Alliance for Investor Education.

* This document is a PDF file, and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you don't already have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you may download it for free from Adobe.

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