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Investor Watch



CSA Investor Watch Bulletins and previously-issued OSC Investor Alerts can help you find out about new investment products, as well as the latest investment frauds and scams. Watch this page for regular updates, or request an email subscription at investored@osc.gov.on.ca. For more detailed information regarding our Privacy Policy on the OSC website, please see our Privacy Statement.

If you think you have been a target of investment fraud, we want to hear from you. Get in touch with our Contact Centre or see our Frauds and Scams links for other organizations that deal with fraud.

CSA Investor Watch Bulletins
December 2006 “Spam” e-mail that promotes hot stocks: a risky proposition
October 2006 Advertisements promoting investment opportunities
July 2006 Principal Protected Notes (PPNs)

What is the CSA?
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) are a council of Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial securities regulators. The CSA is primarily responsible for developing a harmonized approach to securities regulation across the country. Its impact on most Canadians comes through its efforts to help educate Canadians about the securities industry, the stock markets and how to protect investors from investment scams.


OSC Investor Alerts
Foreign Exchange Trading
April 2004 If you're playing the FOREX market, make sure you can handle the risk
 
Boiler Rooms / Telemarketing Scams
March 2006 OSC Warns Fraud Victims Against Becoming Repeat Targets in ‘Double-Dip’ Investment Schemes
June 2004 Investors Beware of Certain Stock Promotion Practices
March 2004 Boiler Room Operators Target Ontario Investors
June 2003 Stock Promotions Target Unwary Investors
February 2003 Pump and Dump & Stock Swap Scams
January 2003 Be on the alert for boiler room tactics
 
Pyramid / Ponzi Schemes
December 2003 Investors should watch out for pyramid schemes
September 2003 Regulator warns investors about the pitfalls of Ponzi schemes
 
Online Investing / E-mails / Newsletters
December 2004 Is it Independent Research or Paid Promotion?
October 2004 Don't Count on Instructional Seminars to Make You a Millionaire
October 2003 Regulator warns investors to Read the Fine Print
September 2003 On-line Investment Information
November 2002 Investment "Spam" E-mails
October 2002 West African Letter Scams
 
Offshore Investing
June 2003 Alpha Project and FEDI Investment Scheme
May 2003 Regulator Warns of Scams Involving High Return Investments
March 2003 Registration Required - Beware of Solicitation
December 2002 Offshore Investing
 
Suspicious Investments
August 2005 Beware of Phantom Regulators
August 2004 Check Registration before you invest, warns OSC
November 2003 Scam artists can hide behind impressive names, addresses and websites
November 2002 "Prime Bank" Investment Schemes
August 2002 Bogus Ontario Heritage Bond Program
 
RRSP/Tax Scams
December 2005 Be Wary of Investment Seminars Offering Tax-Saving Strategies
September 2004 Beware of scams involving your retirement savings
October 2002 RRSP & LIRA Scams
 
Investment Products
January 2006 Final income trusts policy recommends clearer disclosure for investors
October 2005 Understanding Mutual Fund Fees
May 2004 Approach mini-tenders with caution!



Related Resources:

Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO):
Alerts

Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada:
Warning Notice of entities of concern to the public

Canada Revenue Agency:
Alerts

Investment Dealers Association of Canada (IDA) Investor Alert
Clients with on-line accounts at IDA Member firms in PDF




Ontario Securities Commission:
Protecting Your Finances - How to Avoid Investment Frauds and Scams in PDF
Protect Yourself from Investment Fraud Checklist in PDF

Project Cyber Scam - Link to the OSC's scam example site