Investors: Before you write or call us, use the alphabet bar or search box below — or scan our list of most frequently requested search terms — to find quick answers to common questions. If you wish to file an investor complaint, please use our online Investor Complaint Form.

If you don't find what you're looking for, please send us your question using our Question Form.

Industry participants: If you are (or represent) a corporate issuer, broker-dealer, investment adviser, investment company, or accountant -- and your question concerns the application or interpretation of a law or rule -- please contact the appropriate SEC division or office directly.

Fast Answers - Key Topics Table

Title
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Title: Advance Fee Fraud
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Title: 401(k) Questions and Complaints
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Title: 529 Plan
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for educational costs. 529 plans, legally known as “qualified tuition plans,” are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions and are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. 		Last Updated:
Title: 8-K, How to Read
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Title: Arbitration, Limited Appeal Rights, SEC role
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Title: Arbitration, How to Find a Lawyer Specializing in Securities
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Title: Ask Questions
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Title: Unsolicited Quotations
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Title: Bond Terms
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Title: Bonds, Municipal
Debt securities bonds issued by states, cities, counties and other governmental entities to finance capital projects. 		Last Updated:
Title: Broker Dealer Registration
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Title: Broker Dealer Registration: Where to File
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Title: Brokers and Advisers
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Title: Bulletin Boards
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Title: Canadian Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings Accounts
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Title: Central Registration Depository, CRD
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Title: Class Actions
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Title: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
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Title: Credit Reports, Disputing An Inaccurate Report
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Title: CUSIP Number
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Title: Derivatives
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Title: Direct Investment Plans: Buying Stock Directly from the Company
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Title: Disaster-related Investment Scams
Disaster-related investment scams often increase following oil spills, hurricanes, floods, and other such tragedies. 		Last Updated:
Title: Electronic Mailboxes at the SEC
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Title: Employee Stock Options Plans
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Title: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
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Title: Escheatment Process
A process that goes into effect when a firm or financial institution is unable to identify the owner of an abandoned or unclaimed account. 		Last Updated:
Title: Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
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Title: Form 10-K
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Title: Form 144
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Title: Forms 3, 4, 5
Securitites ownership disclosure forms required to be filed by a company’s officers, directors and any beneficial owner of more than 10 percent of a class of the company’s equity securities. 		Last Updated:
Title: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Title: Holding Your Securities
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Title: Publications
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Title: Initial Public Offerings, Pricing Differences
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Title: International Investing
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Title: Internet Fraud
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Title: Investing: Questions You Should Ask About Your Investments (PDF)
Investors should do thorough research and ask questions about products before purchasing them. 		Last Updated:
Title: Investment Clubs
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Title: Investment Company Registration and Regulation Package
General information about investment companies (e.g., mutual funds, closed-end funds, and unit investment trusts) that is available online. 		Last Updated:
Title: Investors Claims Funds
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Title: Late Trading
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Title: Margin Position Sellouts
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Title: Market Order
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Title: Microcap Stock
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Title: Mutual Fund Cost Calculator
Online cost calculators are available to compare the costs of owning different mutual funds. 		Last Updated:
Title: Naked Short Sales
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Title: Nasdaq
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Title: Online Investment Newsletters
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Title: Online Trading
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Title: Options Trading
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Title: Brokerage Orders
Investors have several orders options when it comes to buying and selling securities. 		Last Updated:
Title: OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) Eligibility Rule
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Title: Payment for Order Flow
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Title: Promissory Notes
A type of debt, similar to loans or IOUs, that companies sometimes use to raise money. 		Last Updated:
Title: Public Documents: How to Request Public Documents
Questions and inquiries relating to the Commission, federal securities laws and investments should be submitted via [https://www.sec.gov/oiea/QuestionsAndComments.html]. Public documents can be requested through the Office of FOIA/PA Operations. 		Last Updated:
Title: Regulation SHO
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Title: Sales Practice Abuses
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Title: SEC's Test Your Money Smarts
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Title: Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC)
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Title: Security Power
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Title: Short Sale Restrictions
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Title: Spam
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Title: Specialists
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Title: Staff Legal Bulletins
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Title: Securities Regulators, State
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Title: Stock Tables, How to Read Them
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Title: Stop-Limit Order
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Title: Suitability
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Title: Tax Questions, Capital Gains & Losses
Questions or comments regarding a capital gains tax or a capital loss should be directed to the Internal Revenue Service. 		Last Updated:
Title: Tax-Free vs. Taxable Yield Comparison Calculator
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Title: Telephone Calls From Brokers
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Title: Telephone Numbers at the SEC
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Title: Federal Securities Laws
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Title: Threshold Securities
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Title: Tracking Stocks
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Title: Trade Execution
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Title: Trade Execution: Rules Your Brokerage Firm Must Follow
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Title: Transfer Agents
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Title: Transfer on Death (TOD) Registration
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Title: Ultra-Short Bond Funds
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Title: Variable Annuities
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