Prevention is by far your best defense when it comes to securities fraud. But if it does happen to you, it’s important to report the crime to regulatory agencies and other authorities. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover your money if you’ve been defrauded, you may be able to help authorities identify the perpetrators and prevent other investors from being victimized in the future.
If you suspect you are the victim of investment fraud, file a report with the following organizations:
The SEC Complaint Center, www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml.
You can also send your report by mail: SEC Complaint Center, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549-0213. You can also send a fax to 202-942-9634. Your state securities regulator. Contact information is listed on the North American Securities Administrators Association Web site, www.NASAA.org.
You’ll also find an online complaint form. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Complaint Center, www.finra.org. The National Fraud Information Center, www.fraud.org. Your local FBI office, which you’ll find listed on the FBI Web site, www.fbi.gov. The Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org.
