March is Fraud Prevention Month - Join the OSC Investor Office and Learn to Recognize, Reject and Report Scams

For Immediate Release OSC

TORONTO – March is Fraud Prevention Month and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is encouraging investors to educate themselves on the 3Rs of fraud: recognize, reject and report.

During Fraud Prevention Month, the OSC will be hosting and participating in a number of activities across Ontario to help educate investors on investment scams:

  • Teletownhalls – Ontarians are invited to register for the March 2 or March 30 teletownhalls. The OSC teletownhalls are a way for the Investor Office to connect with thousands of Ontarians at a time. These teletownhalls will focus on recognizing and preventing different types of investment fraud.
  • OSC in the Community Seminars – These seminars provide Ontarians with insights into investor protection and fraud awareness. Those interested in attending an OSC in the Community event are encouraged to visit the OSC’s website for more information.
  • Social Media – The Investor Office will be participating in #Fraudchat on Twitter on March 16 and 23, and the conversation will focus on the 3Rs of fraud: recognize, reject and report. Those interested are encouraged to follow the hashtag #FraudChat on Twitter. Investors are also encouraged to follow the hashtag #FPM2017 and tweets from @smarter_money throughout Fraud Prevention Month for additional helpful tips and information.

“Knowing and recognizing the warning signs of fraud is an important step in preventing fraud and avoiding becoming a victim,” said Tyler Fleming, Director of the Investor Office. “It’s important that investors have the knowledge, tools and resources to protect themselves against fraudulent scams.” 

The OSC encourages investors to visit www.osc.ca and GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca for more fraud prevention resources including, OSC warnings and alerts, the Investor News newsletter, fraud prevention fact cards and guides to help avoid and report investment fraud. Investors are also encouraged to always check the registration of any person or business trying to sell and investment or provide investment advice by visiting CheckBeforeYouInvest.ca.

The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices and to foster fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in the capital markets. Investors are urged to check the registration of any persons or company offering an investment opportunity and to review the OSC investor materials available at www.osc.ca

 

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For Investor Inquiries:

OSC Contact Centre
416-593-8314
1-877-785-1555 (Toll Free)

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