News Release

Vancouver -- The B.C. Securities Commission is warning British Columbians about investment frauds and scams by delivering its popular free investor education seminar series to communities throughout the province this fall.

“It is important for people to be aware of investment frauds and to get tips on how to avoid becoming victims of these scams,” says BCSC Chair Doug Hyndman. “So once again, we are taking our seminar ‘Investigate before you invest’ to people throughout B.C.”

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 24 at a session hosted by the Westminster Savings Credit Union, representatives from the securities commission will be providing free seminars throughout the province to groups and organizations interested in learning about how to avoid investment scams.

The seminars will show people how to protect themselves and their investments from frauds and unscrupulous salespeople. Novice to expert investors will learn how to identify an investment scam, how to check out the background of a financial adviser and how to determine if an investment is suitable for them.

During its last fiscal year, the commission delivered more than 50 seminars to people throughout the province and it expects to bring as many or more sessions to the public this year. The free investor education seminars are provided through partnerships with seniors groups, credit unions, the Better Business Bureau and other organizations.

The B.C. Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating trading in securities and exchange contracts within B.C. Check the commission’s website (www.bcsc.bc.ca) for a list of seminars coming to your area.