SEC Updates List of Firms Using Inaccurate Information to Solicit Investors

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it has updated its list of unregistered firms that use misleading information to primarily solicit non-U.S. investors, adding 16 soliciting entities, four impersonators of genuine firms, and nine bogus regulators.

The updates by the SEC Division of Enforcement’s Office of Market Intelligence, in coordination with the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the Office of International Affairs, are part of the agency’s continuing effort to protect retail investors.

The SEC’s list of soliciting entities that have been the subject of investor complaints, known as the Public Alert: Unregistered Soliciting Entities (PAUSE) list, enables investors to better inform themselves and avoid being a victim of fraud.  The latest additions are firms that the SEC staff found were providing inaccurate information about their affiliation, location, or registration.  Under U.S. securities laws, firms that solicit investors generally are required to register with the SEC and meet minimum financial standards and disclosure, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.

“While SEC registration is no guarantee against fraud or mismanagement, it does bring a higher level of security and accountability to protect the public,” said Jennifer Diamantis, Chief of the SEC’s Office of Market Intelligence.  “Investors should proceed with caution if any unregistered entity attempts to solicit them.”

In addition to alerting investors to firms falsely claiming to be registered, the PAUSE list flags those impersonating registered securities firms and bogus “regulators” who falsely claim to be government agencies or affiliates.  Inclusion on the PAUSE list does not mean the SEC has found violations of U.S. federal securities laws or made a judgment about the merits of any securities being offered.

How to protect yourself:

Before you invest, the SEC strongly encourages you to check the background of anyone selling you an investment using the free and simple search tool on Investor.gov.  Always verify that the seller is currently licensed or registered.  This is a great first step toward protecting your money. 

For more information, explore these resources:

• Protect Your Investments
• Ask Questions
• Visit Investor.gov for tips on investing wisely and avoiding fraud